Schoolchildren will be taking to the streets armed with parking tickets in a drastic move to boost road safety near their school.

Pupils from Cottingley Village Primary School will be ticketing inconsiderate parents who park illegally in streets around Cottingley Moor Road.

A minority of parents are putting children's lives at risk by parking on double yellow lines near crossings, zig-zag markings and even stopping in the middle of the road.

Head teacher Christina Briggs said: "We are committed to the safety of children and we are not afraid to make ourselves unpopular with some parents. You cannot believe how irresponsible some people are."

The school has arranged for parking at the back of the Sun Inn, in Cottingley Cliffe Road, but some parents continue to park near the school.

Staff and some of the older pupils will patrol the roads around the school and leave a stark message for anyone whose car is parked dangerously.

Mrs Briggs said: "They will be trying to appeal from the children's point of view to adults to say you are putting me at risk'.

"Tickets will ask people to park responsibly.

"It's something the children were discussing all last term. This is the first time the children are going out to parents."

Residents have also complained to police and the school about the ongoing problem.

Mum-of-six Michelle Mangham, who lives in Lysander Way, opposite the school, said: "It's a nightmare because cars are parked on the pavement and half on the road, across the double yellow lines and zig-zag markings and even across people's drives.

"The police do come and drive them away but then they are back again a few days later."

West Yorkshire Police said neighbourhood policing team officers were aware of the issue and would continue to monitor the situation and take action, including enforcing the parking restrictions with £30 fixed penalty tickets.

A force spokesman said: "This is a serious child safety issue and we would urge parents who do flout the rules to take this on board and change their behaviour."

Huma Rahman, Bradford Council's road safety officer, said: "We recognise that there is limited parking around Cottingley Village Primary School but there is no excuse for behaviour that puts children at risk."

e-mail: fiona.evans@bradford.newsquest.co.uk

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