Cheshire East Council is proposing to introduce No Stopping Traffic Regulation Orders outside schools in order to improve safety and reduce congestion. These orders would enable both the Council's own Parking Enforcement team as well as the police to enforce the markings.
Currently, almost all of Cheshire East's schools have School Keep Clear markings however it is only in the Crewe and Nantwich areas that these markings are covered by a No Stopping Traffic Regulation Order, which enables enforcement by Civil Enforcement Officers. In other areas, only the police can carry out enforcement where an obstruction is caused.
A spokesperson for Cheshire East Council said "Parking outside schools at dropping off and picking up time is a recognised, long-standing and growing national problem. Typical illegal behaviour includes parking on School Keep Clear road markings which is not just an issue of safety but a problem of traffic congestion and nuisance to pedestrians and local residents.
"It has become more and more difficult for any kind of worthwhile enforcement to be undertaken against motorists parking on these markings in spite of requests from the schools and the Police."
In April 2016 The Department for Transport (DfT) released a new version of the Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions along with associated guidance for Local Authorities which removed the need to introduce a TRO for school keep clear markings.
However, subsequent to this guidance being issued it has come to light that although it is the case that school keep clear markings do not need to have a TRO behind them, at present the markings in areas other than Crewe and Nantwich, which are not currently covered by a TRO, can only be enforced by the police. This is due to the fact that the associated legislation that allows for Civil Enforcement was not amended at the same time as the new regulations.
The DfT is currently looking into options to assist local authorities but in the meantime is advising local authorities to continue with TROs so they can also enforce the School Keep Clear road markings themselves.
The Council's spokesperson added "Therefore, in order to improve compliance with the markings across the Borough it is proposed to apply No Stopping Orders to all of the School Keep Clear road markings in the Borough enabling enforcement to be carried out by Cheshire East Council's own Parking Enforcement team along with the Police. The authority will work in partnership with the Police and School to ensure a joint approach to improving the inappropriate parking outside schools."
The effect of the proposed Orders will be to introduce No Stopping by vehicles Monday to Friday 8am to 5pm outside these schools on the following lengths and sides of road:
St Benedict's Catholic Primary School
Hall Road, Handforth (north side) – from a point 25 metres west of its junction with Hall Road for a distance of 37.56 metres in a westerly direction.
Wilmslow Grange Primary School
Ullswater Road, Handforth (south side) – from a point 12 metres north east of its junction with Derwent Drive for a distance of 91.22 metres in a south westerly direction.
Wilmslow Academy
Handforth Road, Wilmslow (south west side) – from a point 75 metres north west of its junction with Swinley Chase for a distance of 37.56 metres in a north westerly direction.
Styal Primary School
Altrincham Road, Wilmslow (south west side) – from a point 47 metres south east of a point in line with the common boundary of property names Fern Cottage and Beech Cottage for a distance of 31.56 metres in a south easterly direction.
Lacey Green Primary Academy
Barlow Road, Wilmslow (south west side) – from a point 3 metres south east of its junction with Holly Bank Road for a distance of 25.56 metres in a south easterly direction.
Gorsey Bank County Primary School
Altrincham Road, Wilmslow (north east side) – from a point 73 metres south east of its junction with Gorsey Road for a distance of 51.22 metres in a south easterly direction.
Fulshaw CE Primary School
Nursery Lane, Wilmslow (west side) – from a point 34 metres south of its junction with Chapel Lane for a distance of 31.56 metres in a southerly direction.
Ashdene Primary School
Gravel Lane, Wilmslow (south side) – from a point 8 metres east of its junction with Poplar Avenue for a distance of 25.56 metres in a westerly direction.
Alderley Edge School for Girls
Brook Lane, Alderley Edge (south west side) – from a point 28.5 metres north west of its junction with Wilmslow Road for a distance of 25.56 metres in a north westerly direction.
The Ryleys School
Ryleys Lane, Alderley Edge (north west side) – from a point 207 metres south west of its junction with Eaton Drive for a distance of 31.56 metres in a south westerly direction.
If you wish to object to any of the proposed Orders, or make any other representations, you may do so in writing, and if making an objection you must specify the grounds on which it is made, to Mr R Welch, Cheshire East Highways, 6th Floor, Delamere House, Delamere Street, Crewe CW1 2LL or email to [email protected] to be received by 16th March 2017.
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They need to take the kids to school by car to keep them safe from all the people taking their kids to school by car.
The easiest solution would be to go and ticket all of the cars parked illegally, a few days of that would soon sort people out I am sure!