Police in parking crackdown near Shropshire school
Parents at one Shropshire school have been accused of parking selfishly, putting lives at risk.
Dropping off and home time at Market Drayton Junior School involves a dramatic mass of activity, with parents desperate to get their little ones as close to the school as possible.
The scenes at this school are not unique. They are repeated on a daily basis at scores of schools across Shropshire and Mid Wales. In this case, police in the town are starting to lose their patience.
Parents have been told that, from the new school year, they face prosecution if they flout the law.
Market Drayton Safer Neighbourhood Constable Mick Sturland said: "Parents are inconsiderately parking on junctions, double yellow lines and on footpaths at drop-off and pick-up times.
"Unnecessary obstruction is dealt with via a conditional offer fixed penalty – basically you have the choice of paying a fine which varies according to the offence, or attending a driver improvement course, at cost. It could also carry points on your licence."
He added: "Obviously, it's difficult but parents need to allow time to arrive at school and find somewhere safe and legal to park. Parking on junctions within 10 metres is an offence and an unnecessary obstruction.
"Double yellow lines parking is also an offence punishable by Shropshire Council enforcement officers. Parking on the zig-zag lines around a school entrance is also an offence and causes an obstruction to crossing children.
"We are asking the parents to ask themselves: 'Is this a safe place to park?'."
Tim Beckett, Mayor of Market Drayton said the problem is one that affected all primary schools in the town and urged parents to walk if possible.
Tim Hayward, headteacher at Market Drayton Junior School said the school newsletter regularly reminds parents to park considerately in the area.
He said: "From the school's point of view we would ask everybody to park responsibly. We do remind parents in our newsletter to bear children in mind when parking and to also respect residents.
"We do have walk-to-school weeks and we encourage as many families to walk to school where possible. We also have suggested nearby locations where parents can park away from the school with a short walk to the gates."
