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.
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."
As reported last week, Alderley Edge Parish Council will consider a motion on 9th December, proposed by Cllr Duncan Herald, to create a parking forum to examine ways of improving the parking situation and traffic flow in the village.
Comments
Here's what readers have had to say so far. Why not add your thoughts below.
Sorry but in my opinion the only long term solution is a traffic warden to hit these people where it might just get them to think.
I mean take a good look at the picture to go with this article and tell me people that park like that don't deserve a parking fine.
The daily fines could pay the wages.
Lynton Lane is already a no-go area at school drop-off and collection time,as it is already in use by then as free parking for commuters using the station. We only recently read that an ambulance and a refuse collection vehicle had been unable to gain access to properties because of vehicles parked on both sides of the road. Polite notes left by the CPO on windscreens are just ignored and completely ineffective.
Since there is evidently no appealing to common sense and consideration,the only answer on Lynton Lane is for double yellow lines down one side and residents parking zone down the other. And even then, it would need to be rigorously enforced
I know of a Mum with three girls at AESG who could easily put them on the train but she is afraid of them crossing the road and not using the correct crossing. Why not have a little more faith in them and let them try. They are in the senior school so should be trusted.
However...it is by no means the majority of parents and the snide comments about 'mummy' 'comfy cars' and 'awful buses' is extremely unhelpful. Primary school children who attend the schools in question can come from as far afield as Congleton, Prestbury and Macclesfield and to suggest that a 6,7 or 8 year old should be put on put on public transport to 'make their own way to school' borders on the ridiculous (As is the suggestion that most children live within a 15 minute walk ! Is there any evidence for this or is it just a convenient soundbite ??)
Tackle the problem and try not to let your distaste for 4x4s and their privately educated offspring cloud your judgement.