Pupils leaflet parents parking near school

10:54am Wednesday 23rd April 2008

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PUPILS at a school are urging parents to stop putting lives at risk with irresponsible parking.

Parents parking on grass verges and blocking a main exit from Middlesbrough's Thorntree Primary School, on the housing estate of the same name, were yesterday handed leaflets appealing to them to park responsibly - and away from the school.

With the help of Middlesbrough Council's road safety team, the youngsters have designed a leaflet highlighting the dangers of inconsiderate parking outside the school, using the slogan Stay clear, children are near - think before you park.

A group of pupils, supported by some parents, handed leaflets out to erring parkers.

With 250 printed, the pamphlets will continue to be handed to parents until the parking problems at the school gate cease.

Deputy headteacher Wendy Nelson said a cul-de-sac leading down to the school becomes choked with cars waiting to pick up or drop off children.

Mrs Nelson said: "It's first thing on a morning, and at the end of school on an afternoon.

It's the number of cars parking on the grass verge at a point where children are coming out, leaving school, and the fact they cannot see and cannot be seen.

"Children can't see past the cars and the drivers can't see the children waiting to cross.

"We are hoping it will make people stop parking the way they do, and even think about continuing to use the car for a school journey - to think of the safety of the children and park further away."

Staff at the school have been working with the council's road safety team to produce a school travel plan that considers aspects of the journey to school.

Pupils were asked what they thought about the car problem and came up with the idea of producing a leaflet outlining the importance of responsible parking.

The school hopes to relaunch a walking bus, in the summer, after a previous attempt was dropped because of lack of support.