‘Ultimate entitled parents’ tell drivers not to park in their OWN street after blocking it off so kids can play – but whose side are you on?
A GROUP of pushy parents caused outrage after telling motorists not to park outside their own homes.
Residents were surprised to receive letters in the post advising them to avoid parking on their street last Sunday because it was being "reclaimed".
But the closure in the Sydney suburb of Rozelle wasn't due to roadworks, and had no backing from the local council.
The group of neighbours decided they would close the street themselves so their kids could play with "scooters, skateboards, balls and chalk".
Frustrated resident and penned an opinion piece online in response to the move by the "ultimate entitled parents".
He slammed the parents' bravado, writing: "I am all for kids getting outside and playing in the street, but I don’t think my life needs to be inconvenienced for them to do so."
In a letter posted to residents, the parents wrote: “We’re reclaiming the streets; specifically Emily Street.
“We’ll block off the street just past the driveway to the car park entrance ... and take the rest to build a Safe Play Zone for kids.
“We expect lots of kids with scooters, skateboard, balls, chalk and more to be having the time of their lives. Bring some kids with you to join in.
“As there will be lots of activity, can we suggest you avoid parking in Emily Street on Sunday? It will only mean a small amount of inconvenience, and we’ll appreciate your support."
The bold request struck a nerve with Dunn, who also noted there was a public park just a few minutes walk from the street in question.
He wrote: "There are obviously so many things wrong with this, but none more important than my inner-west Sydney neighbours making the executive decision to block off the street and tell us not to park there.
"It’s almost like they haven’t ever seen the park located 200 metres from the street.
"You know, that huge public space dedicated to providing an area for kids to play so their entitled parents don’t have to block off a public street.
"I’m sick of parents thinking everyone needs to accommodate their children just because they decided to shoot out some offspring and can never enjoy weekends, holidays, freedom ever again."
And it seems the incident has left Australians divided, as a debate sparked on Twitter saw motorists argue who was in the right.
One user agreed with Dunn: "Perfect example of unbelievable entitlement, definitely not limited to parents of kids neighbors (sic) in our inner city who block public and private access ... and other ridiculous behavior spewing their arrogant oblivion and ruining it for everyone."
While another wrote: "Be a good community member, move your car, it's really not something that should get your knickers in a knot."
So whose side are you on?
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Residents must request permission from the council to close a street.
The same rule applies in the UK, with Brits required to apply to their local council to have a street temporarily closed.
And even if a road is closed properly, emergency services must still have access to use the route if necessary,