The problem of parents parking in roads around schools is a constant whine from residents. Not only is access and egress to their own homes denied, but there is a danger to children being hit while milling around the area, as cars move in and out of the street.
The problem is being tackled by various means, when the answer is easily solved by the school itself allowing parents with children to drop them off and pick children up on the perimeter of their large hard-standing playgrounds.
The playgrounds are not in use at the end of the school day so why not put in special single car roads and parking areas for drop off’s and pick ups?
This would get all those cars off the roads into an orderly queue in and out of school grounds safely.
Of course it will be costly installing access and roads, but it would solve this ongoing problem.
County Councillor’s Reply
Parking outside schools is one of the most intractable problems Councillors are asked about. This is because most schools were located and designed for a time when many fewer people owned or used a car, so we are always going to be trying to squeeze a gallon onto a pint pot as far as traffic round schools is concerned.
It is not just that there is not the £_millions to make huge alterations to the infrastructure, in most cases it is difficult to see any way or anywhere that vehicles could be safely be directed. In the meantime, current planning legislation seeks to deter, not to attract, traffic.
It is also problematic because it is about changing people’s behaviour. Some of the driving and parking round schools, where not downright illegal, is dangerous and inconvenient; some people seem to think that their needs take precedence over anything or anybody else.
We do not have enough wardens and police, and where local authorities have experimented with giving powers to other people (e.g. teachers) they have been abused and assaulted.
This does not mean that the problems have been accepted or ignored. Former Town Councillor Paul Kjenstad set up a multi-agency group which systematically discussed the problems of Newton Aycliffe schools. Durham County Council has introduced 20mph zones round 60 of its schools. Cllrs Howell, Durham and I are currently addressing a number of dangerous situations around Greenfield School. I have to say that even the smallest suggestion tends to meet with derision, outrage and accusation.
Ultimately, the solution is not about infrastructure or enforcement, but about people treating other people as they would wish to be treated. It is about parents realising that they are invading someone else’s living space, and taking care to drive and park considerately. It is about residents accepting that children are going to be dropped off and picked up and if you live near a school, this is going to happen twice a day at set times you can plan around.
In the meantime, I would suggest that our primary focus has to be to ensure that school drop-off and pickup periods are as safe as possible for the children (given that road safety is often the last thing on their mind). Some schools do have queuing systems and drop-off/pickup areas, and it might indeed be worth investigating individual situations. How-ever, in general, I am afraid I have to say that I do not consider the idea of twice a day having large numbers of cars entering the school grounds and driving around the children’s playgrounds a safe solution.
Cllr John D Clare
What are your views? Please e-mail: syd@newtonnews.co.uk or phone 01325 300212.
