Because you typed in a large question there seems to be a problem when trying to reply to it.
In answer to your question there is no legal onus on an employer to provide parking spaces for an employee. Many firms do provide parking spaces .. but they are not obliged to do so. Health and Safety issues would not apply as the employee is making their own way to work.
I ran into the same problem - I was going to suggest that people try to car-share, or if not, arrive and depart at agreed times so that there are always two or more people walking to and from their cars.
Thanks for reposting - didn't realise it would cause probs being so long. There is nowhere closer to park and nobody lives nearby to car share. The nursery has - reluctantly agreed to employ two people in the early mornings so that nobody travels alone in the dark so the safety issue has been resolved - to a certain extent. My wife still has to be up at 05:30 to open the nursery at 07:15 for a princely �4.20 per hour - spare a thought for the poor buggers if you drop you kids off!!! Thanks All