Crackdown starts over poor parking outside Bradford schools

The initiative, which began today, will run throughout the autumn term at five schools in the district.

Police will work for two weeks at each school to try to reduce the amount of inconsiderate parking that occurs at drop-off and pick-up times.

The crackdown has begun in response to complaints about the problem from residents, parents and schools.

Police will spend the first week at each school educating motorists on the dangers of inconsiderate parking and why it is safer for children, pedestrians and road users to park away from school grounds.

Families who live a short distance away from school will also be educated on the health benefits of walking to school.

The second week will focus on enforcement, with anyone who parks their car illegally or inconsiderately liable to be fined.

The three schools already working with the police are St Cuthbert’s, Lister, and Margaret McMillan Primary Schools, all in Scotchman Road, Manningham.

Louise Johnson, assistant head teacher at Lister Primary, said the idea for the initiative came from a traffic survey carried out by pupils.

She said: “They noticed how bad parking around the school was, and came up with the idea of this campaign.

“The police presence had had a good impact so far, people are thinking about where they park more.”

Mrs Johnson said following the two week patrol at the school, police will visit the area again on two random days before Christmas to see if parents are still being considerate with their parking, and handing out fines to those who are not.

PCSO Andrew Wright was on patrol outside Lister, and said bad parking is a “massive problem” outside Bradford schools.

He said: “We’ve had a positive reaction from parents, this week is more about advice.

“Next week when we start handing out fines it could be a bit different.”

Sergeant Adrian Wright, who has organised the initiative with Bradford Council support, said: “Inconsiderate and illegal parking is a problem at many schools across the district and we hope this campaign will make motorists think twice about where to park when they pick up and drop off their children.

“Road safety measures such as zig-zags outside schools are there to keep school users safe.” and motorists should always avoid parking on these as they are likely to cause an obstruction.

“They should also avoid parking across people’s driveways and on the pavement.

“Motorists should also note that we will be continuing to monitor schools for parking problems and will take further action against those who continue to park inconsiderately or cause an obstruction.”

Councillor Alex Ross-Shaw, Bradford Council’s executive member for regeneration, planning and transport, said: “People parking irresponsibly in school areas is a long-running problem and something we need to work with the police to clampdown on.

“These motorists, most of whom are parents or carers themselves, are not considering the dangers they pose to school children, and the inconvenience caused to local residents, when all they need to do is park slightly further away and walk a few extra yards, or even make the whole journey on foot if at all possible.”