As many of our readers know the problem of dangerous and illegal parking is of real concern to a lot of residents.
The issue of parking at local schools was raised again last week by the Headmistress of Alderley Edge School for Girls who wrote to parents urging them to consider the safety of children when dropping off and picking up. Whilst in Wilmslow, we were contacted by concerned parents from Ashdene Primary School where the problem has been exasperated by building work which is being carried out in the area and at the school itself.
We were subsequently contacted by parents from other schools who wanted to let us know that the dangerous problem is not limited to Ashdene. One parent sent us the photo above, taken on the corner of Gorsey Road and Priory Road at at pick up time, which she described as "stupid inconsiderate dangerous parking!"
This week I caught up with Sergeant Andy Miller to discuss this on-going issue and what the police are able to do to tackle it.
Sgt Andy Miller told me "Poor parking by parents outside schools in Wilmslow and Alderley Edge has been an on-going issue for several years and one that I fear will never be solved without a change in the mind-set of the parents themselves. Our PCSO's spent a lot of time working with local schools and work in partnership to educate parents not to park illegally or obstructively but sadly so many parents choose to ignore this advice despite the fact that it puts their own children's safety in jeopardy.
"I can understand that everyone is in a hurry these days and driving your children to school and dropping them off as close as possible is more convenient than walking them to school but sadly this approach when done by everyone causes mayhem and potential danger for all. Some parents end up parking on pavements, obstruct junctions or block roads to off load their kids for 'just a few seconds'. This in turn makes it very difficult to take enforcement action as the process of doing so keeps the obstruction in place far longer.
"When 100 or more parents do this all within a 20 minute window, chaos ensues and local residents who wish to leave their driveways and go to work are prevented from doing so. I wish we had the resources to place an officer outside every school in Wilmslow and Alderley Edge every morning and afternoon but sadly this is not the case. This issue is being treated as a 'Priority Issue' by Wilmslow Police and numerous warning and tickets are given out but this seems to have little effect.
"Over the years Wilmslow Police have tried various methods to solve this problem from direct enforcement action to patrolling the local area with the pupils themselves, who have made warning signs to hand to errant parents who have parked obstructively in a bid to embarrass them into improvement. Some of these approaches work for a few days at the most and some don't work at all.
"The only long term approach that I have seen have an impact is when like-minded parents work with the school to organise a walking bus and take and responsibility to walk with their children as a group. This takes commitment and organisation but does work well. The other option is for people to actually ditch the car and walk with their children instead and get some healthy exercise as part of the process. This would have benefits all round. It's surprising how many people make the decision to drive when they live within a 15 minute walk to school.
"We would encourage everyone to leave the car at home and walk to school where possible and see what benefits this brings to their children and their community."
In response to parents concerns over parking in the area, police officers have been at Ashdene Primary School this week where some tickets and warning notices have been issued.
Comments
Here's what readers have had to say so far. Why not add your thoughts below.
And its not just a problem around schools...as a regular walker I so often get forced onto a busy road because a car's parked on the pavement and often think how it is for the disabled, blind, those with pushchairs etc
This picture is of a Gorsey Bank parent parked on Gorsey Road, this area is jammed with cars both in the morning and at pick up time,it would be very unlikely that there would ever be an accident at these times because the traffic moves so slowly around there.
Ask yourself this question, Do you want your child left on there own in the playground if you are running late and have to park a mile away?? we all have busy lives and sometimes we have to park where we would not normally and unfortunately where schools are concerned, it's always going to be a problem!!
1 parked with 2 or more wheels on footway/obstruction of footway
2 partially obstructing a pedestrian crossing dropped kerb
3 parked on the junction, so limiting a driver, exiting minor road, to view traffic from left.
The usual bleat from 'pavement parkers' is they were providing room for other motorists'
Any pedestrian/wheel/push chair forced into the carriageway by a footway parker, should report the offending vehicle reg to Police
Blimey.
As mentioned by other people all schools provide after school care so there is no excuse for parking dangerously and many schools provide breakfast clubs.
Come on parents would you want any child or adult put in danger !!!!!
Maybe sometimes you run late but repeat offenders have no excuses! It is not just an offence like 'nipping to the bank' but it's really dangerous with all the children around.
Please stop and leave home 2 mins earlier or walk if you live this close!!