School-run parents in Torbay warned 'obey parking rules or face £70 penalty'
Thousands of parents in Devon have been issued with warning letters about the dangers of illegal parking outside school gates.
Torbay Council said it would be taking action "some time" after the half-term holiday following several near misses during the school run.
-
It has written to parents of 8,500 pupils at 30 primary schools across the Bay to remind them of their responsibility to find a safe place to park at school times saying "zigzags and double yellow lines outside schools are there for a reason".
The letter from the council's road safety team also warned that enforcement of parking restrictions around schools would take place in the coming weeks. Anyone who is issued with a penalty charge will have to pay £70, reduced to £35 if paid within 14 days.
Business Cards From Only £10.95 Delivered www.myprint-247.co.uk
View detailsOur heavyweight cards have FREE UV silk coating, FREE next day delivery & VAT included. Choose from 1000's of pre-designed templates or upload your own artwork. Orders dispatched within 24hrs.
Terms: Visit our site for more products: Business Cards, Compliment Slips, Letterheads, Leaflets, Postcards, Posters & much more. All items are free next day delivery. www.myprint-247.co.uk
Contact: 01858 468192
Valid until: Sunday, May 26 2013
Road safety officer Bev Hannah said: "The safety of our children and their parents is paramount.
"We are aware of several near misses involving children and cars in the vicinity of schools during the school run. Thankfully no one has been hurt, and we are determined to do everything we can to maintain this safety record.
"We have also had serious concerns expressed to us by several schools and parents. They are unhappy about the actions of people who fail to observe the parking restrictions, and have asked us to take action.
"We share those concerns and decided to take this opportunity to raise public awareness, backed by enforcement of the restrictions."
Councillor Robert Excell, executive lead for safer communities and transport, said he hoped the letters would hit home.
"We are grateful to all those people who observe the yellow zigzags and double yellow lines which are there for a very good reason, that is everyone's safety," Coun Excell said. "However, we are disappointed that there are still some others who do not comply with the law, putting public safety at risk.
"As our letter points out, there is a popular misconception that motorists are allowed five minutes' parking on double yellow lines in order to drop off or collect children from school.
"We are currently focusing our attention on primary schools. However, we would point out that there are also yellow zigzags and double yellow lines at our secondary schools which must also be observed.
"We hope people will heed our warning and road safety advice. We have no wish to issue penalty charge notices, so we hope that people understand the message, park safely and legally, and avoid paying the penalty."
4 Comments
by Bleach
Thursday, February 21 2013, 8:29PM
“" The simple fact is that many of the schools in the Bay are poorly sited as regards being served by cars"
Then walk. You and your brats have been given legs, use them once in a while.”
by Ant__
Thursday, February 21 2013, 2:03PM
“As the council letter says. The zig zags and double yellows are there for a reason around schools. Having to drive past Galmpton regularly at school opening is a nightmare caused by inconsiderate parents insisting on stopping within a stones throw of the gates.
Leave five minutes earlier so you can park somewhere safely - or better still get the school to help with organising parents to have a safe drop off point from where the little darlings can be escorted into the school grounds.”
by Tony248
Thursday, February 21 2013, 1:08PM
“Oh dear, minus 15 and counting? All the people with cars are out at work, I think, and that leaves only the non-drivers and childless......”
by Tony248
Thursday, February 21 2013, 11:33AM
“I am aware of several "near misses" close to schools where people have moved quickly to avoid the nuisance parking attendants which the council regularly sends to harass mums in the criminal activity of taking their young children to school. The simple fact is that many of the schools in the Bay are poorly sited as regards being served by cars, and the patrolling by the Council will only serve to exacerbate the problems. To claim there is any sort of danger is utter rubbish because when not being harassed by the money grubbers (sorry, parking attendants) the number of vehicles means that for those few minutes, the traffic around schools is pretty much at standstill.
This department has done its utmost to consign town centre shops to oblivion with its parking policies. The situation around schools at arrival and leaving times sure ain't ideal, but will work a lot better without the parasites of the Parking Services sticking their oars in.”