Parents banned from parking outside Hoddlesden school (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Parents banned from parking outside Hoddlesden school

6:10pm Thursday 13th August 2009 in

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PARENTS are being banned from parking outside a Hoddlesden primary school.

Council bosses said the move at St Paul’s Primary School was because irresponsible parking had been putting children and pedestrians at risk.

But one parent believes the move will actually put children in more danger.

Signs have been erected telling parents that they will no longer be able to park outside the school, in Bayne Street or in Dukes Drive from the start of the new school year in September.

In recent months residents living near the school have claimed that both their safety and that of the 140 pupils are being put at risk by parents parking either side of the narrow street.

They said that buses had struggled to get down the hill and had to reverse out, children have restricted visability because of the cars, and fumes were entering in through windows of houses.

In April the council vowed to crack down on rogue drivers parking in restircted areas.

But one parent, Sharon Lancaster, who has a seven-year-old son at the school, said the changes will mean that youngsters would be dropped off on a busy main road and would be in greater danger.

She said: “Yes parking can be bad down Bayne Street, but this has the potential to cause even more problems on the main road through the village.

“It is very busy there and I believe the children will be more at risk.

“The sign says that objections have to be in by August 29, but with it being school holidays, nobody will have seen it. I think it’s disgusting.”

Coun Alan Cottam, executive member for regeneration and environment, said: "Following concerns raised by a local resident and supported by the school, it was proposed to introduce waiting restrictions around school main opening and closing times.

"This is aimed at preventing irresponsible parking when dropping off/picking up their children and ensuring the safety of pedestrians, namely young children attending the school.

“The Traffic Regulation Order has been advertised in the usual way and people have until August 28 to make their objections if they have any.

"This is a problem across the borough and we will be looking at other areas where similar restrictions could be introduced."