Parents Urged Not To Park Illegally Outside Local Schools
A Cottingham dad is calling for tougher parking restrictions outside school gates.
Illegal parking outside schools in East Yorkshire has returned with a vengeance - according to a Cottingham dad who's been campaigning against the issue.
He says the problem's got worse again and wants to see tougher parking restrictions imposed outside school gates in the region.
Mike takes his young daughter to Hallgate Primary in Cottingham and says it's a continuous problem there. He told Viking:
"The enforcement team started to come down and now they've come and not seen any problems because of the campaign last time, it is back how it used to be. Unless there is consisteny in the parking wardens coming then it will just continue to go back to how it is now.
"At this zebra crossing alone there have been a couple of times when the lollipop lady has had a couple of close calls from cars not speeding but just from cars that can't see her because of the parked cars. She is having to step out blind. The parents get letters and text messages from the head teacher and governors asking them not to park illegally but it just falls on deaf ears.
"There's been a couple of incidents where I've been with people and they've stepped on the crossing and cars have just gone straight through just because of the parked cars and they can't see you waiting.
"There's a car here already parked on the zig zags and I'm sure that will be here later with ten or twelve more cars. It is just inconsiderate really for their kids' safety and other children as it's them who are being put in danger at the end of the day.
"Sometimes you are pulling your hair out thinking how can you be so stupid to park there and put children in danger.
"Since the last campaign it did work quite well and parents did seem to be listening and finding elsewhere to park but gradually as one does it, the problem slowly returns again and before you know it you've got a dozen parking there illegally again."
A spokesman for East Riding of Yorkshire Council said:
“Problems with parking outside schools is an issue in many areas of the East Riding.
“The council is working with schools to advise them of strategies that can be adopted to ease the problems and in some cases it may be appropriate for headteachers to communicate with parents to encourage sensible driving and parking.
“These problems are usually caused by inconsiderate parents – while most parents are considerate there are a number who are not and they create these issues, causing problems for other people.
”Further parking restrictions may be considered in some areas, although these are not generally successful, and enforcement action can be taken where appropriate and requested.
“There is no simple solution, but we will continue to work with schools to encourage safe and sustainable travel and enforce restrictions when necessary.”