02 May 2024
Fleetville parents are calling on motorists to avoid risking their children’s lives by parking dangerously in a narrow street outside their school and nursery.
Delivery drivers, tradesmen and, ironically, other parents are flouting parking restrictions to wait and unload outside Fleetville Infant and Nursery School (FINS) in Woodstock Road South.
One Ocado driver even parked on the kerb in front of the nursery entrance before reversing backwards while children passed. When confronted he told one mum he was allowed to park on double yellow lines for up to 20 minutes.
“The driver couldn’t have cared less when I talked to him,” she said.
Another parent said: “It’s never OK to park on pavements, and just beyond common sense so close to a school with so many children.
“My husband was actually knocked by a parent actually driving onto the pavement outside the gate who didn’t see him. Thank goodness it wasn’t a child! It’s crazy! I’m just really hoping nobody gets badly injured one of these days.”
FINS headteacher Jen Gardner said: “I am concerned about the safety risks posed by illegally parked or dangerously parked cars near our school. These acts can obstruct visibility, increase the risk of accidents, and hinder emergency vehicle access.
“We urge all members of our school and local community to adhere to traffic regulations and use designated parking areas to ensure the safety of our pupils, parents and local community.
“We communicate frequently with our parent body regarding responsible and safe parking and provide designated parking areas for parents for club pick-ups, to help address these issues.
“We encourage walking to school where feasible and urge parents to refrain from driving and parking around the school during drop-off and collection times.
“Pupil safety remains our utmost priority, and we rely on the cooperation of all stakeholders to act responsibly and reduce risks to pedestrians and other road users.”
SADC says its parking enforcement teams are stretched thin with so many schools across the district.
Chris Traill, strategic director for community and place delivery, said: “Car parking near schools during drop off and pick up times is an issue that we monitor closely.
“Our civil enforcement officers regularly attend schools where there is a parking problem. They will issue Penalty Charge Notices [PCNs] on vehicles parked in contravention of restrictions such as on double yellow lines.
“However, there are more than 70 schools in the district, so it is not possible for our officers to be at every school at peak times.
“Our team has been briefed now about these concerns regarding parking at Woodstock Road South and will schedule additional visits there.
“We appeal to parents to park considerately and safely. Headteachers regularly do the same so as to ensure good relations with their neighbourhood.
“We also encourage parents to opt for active travel, such as walking and cycling, when taking their children to and from school and avoid using their car where possible.
“That mode of transport is better for the environment, improves physical health and eases pressure on street car parking.”
Parking issues can be reported to illegalparking@stalbans.gov.uk or by calling 01727 845283.
The photographs used to illustrate this article are real examples of dangerous parking in Woodstock Road South during school runs. We hope the drivers reflect on the risk they are posing to pedestrians after reading this story.
