The car park of St Joseph & St Benildus Church on the Dunmore Road has long been used by parents dropping and collecting children from nearby schools.
Newtown School, De La Salle College and Waterpark College are all within walking distance of the church.
However, the parish announced over the summer that it was restricting use of the car park to those using the church or the parish centre.
Parents with children attending the on-site montessori are also permitted to use the car park.
The parish said it was making the changes “following an independent review of traffic and pedestrian safety on the grounds”.
In particular, it cited concerns over insurance and potential liability if an accident was to occur.
A sign erected outside the church now specifically states that the car park is not to be used by people dropping and collecting children from school.
The sign also states: “Persons who enter or park on the grounds in breach of this notice do so without the permission of the parish.
“The parish does not accept liability for loss, damage or injury suffered by any person present on the grounds otherwise than as an authorised user described above.”
The statement on the sign concludes with the parish thanking the community for their co-operation.
However, a number of parents have expressed their frustration with the new restrictions in the car park.
In a post on social media, one parent wrote: “I know it’s the church’s private property but because nobody is allowed to park there to collect children after school it is causing mayhem.
“I can see an accident happening as everyone is parking in the bicycle lane while the church carpark is empty and a guy in a high viz jacket is stopping anyone from driving in.”
Another parent commented: “I have been using the church car park for the last nine years with no problems.
“Collection is so difficult now with very minimal parking available making it very unsafe for cyclists and pedestrians and stressful at times.
“I’m very surprised by the church… very uncharitable.”
Similarly, one local woman described the situation at drop-off times as “absolutely insane” and described the parish’s decision as “uncharitable at best”.
“What nonsense and so uncivic. People have been dropping and lifting kids from and to the front of the church for at least 40 years,” another local resident said.
However, some residents defended the church for closing the car park, arguing that it is up to the schools to provide sufficient parking.
One local resident wrote: “The schools need to come up with a solution. It's not the church's problem.
“The schools have plenty of land to facilitate parking and the dropping off of the pupils using them. The church has sufficient parking for the people using the church.”
“They (the parish) felt they had no other option,” another woman commented.