Parking outside schools a growing problem

Dangerous and inconsiderate parking in and around schools in Melksham is a growing safety concern and parents need to think before they park. 

Schools are urging parents to park legally, considerately and safely when dropping off and picking up their children to ensure the children are safe and residents are not inconvenienced.

Melksham Without Parish Council has taken up the issue.

“We have received complaints about inconsiderate parking outside of all the schools in the parish over recent weeks – Shaw, Forest & Sandridge, Bowerhill and Melksham Oak,” said clerk Teresa Strange.

“May we remind parents/ carers that parking restrictions on the roads such as double yellow lines and zig zags are there for the safety of all, and should be respected at all times. Parking inconsiderately not only causes traffic issues, but also means the children often have to cross the road from between parked cars and forces those with pushchairs off the pavements and onto the road.”

Chair of the council Richard Wood added, “Melksham is not the only town in the county that has problems with parking at schools, but it’s an issue that needs to be sorted. We’ve had an on-going problem with Shaw; although it does have a car park, it’s not used to its full potential and parents prefer to park on the road. Even if the roads near the school had double yellow lines, it’s very difficult to police.

“Forest and Sandridge is interesting because when we saw the plans for the school, we knew that parking would be a problem, so we worked very hard to ensure that there were enough provisions for people to walk to school. However, we continue to receive complaints from concerned residents about the volume of traffic and inconsiderate parking outside the school.

“The car park does have a system in place which allows for cars to drive in one way, drop the children off, and drive out. However, this isn’t working too well as parents are parking up and staying there, which blocks the flow. But we are limited to what we can do. The roads are currently  unadopted so we can’t use yellow lines, but once the road is adopted, putting yellow lines on the road would affect the residents being able to park.

“The school has done all it can to try and solve the problem. There’s also an understanding with the new pub and shops that parents can park there during peak times. This could be a big help, but as of yet, it’s not made a huge difference.”

Chair of governors at Forest and Sandridge School, Paul Carter said, “Long before our new school was built we made the local authority and parish council aware of the potential problems on the roads surrounding the site, these were either ignored or felt to be manageable. This is possibly because any issues related to school traffic are restricted to 10 minutes in the morning and afternoon, five days a week for 38 weeks of the year.

“When the final plans were produced, we knocked on dozens of doors all around the school to inform residents of what was happening and what we were doing to assist. Letters were also sent to residents so as many people were engaged with the process from the outset. We then lobbied for an additional footpath from Ingram Road to the school, which, along with requests to parents, was aimed at trying to encourage as many children to walk/scoot or cycle as possible. Most children continue to take this option.

“For those parents who feel that driving is their only option, we have allowed the car park area to be used as a drop-off point, which is aimed at preventing parents from parking on the road and thereby restricting the flow of traffic. The recently completed shopping centre also has spaces for dozens of vehicles within 50 yards of the school. All of these measures alleviate most situations, except in the worst of weather, when human nature dictates that everyone, whether parent, resident or shopper alike reaches for their car and clogs up the roads, whether around a school or not.

“As chair of governors, I periodically monitor the roads and have made myself available to both parents and residents, without fear or favour, if and when a specific issue arises. This allows the school to continue in its priority of educating our children. In this capacity, I have also liaised with county and parish councillors, the Police Neighbourhood Beat Manager, PCSOs,  the Police & Crime Commissioner, along with other schools to seek solutions.

“The main issue is that as Cranesbill Road is yet to be adopted by the council, for 10mins in the morning and afternoon each weekday any measures to control the flow of traffic or restrict parking are not enforcible. Until adoption, residents, their visitors or parents  can continue to park lawfully as they see fit at any time of the day.

“With my other hat on as a taxi driver, local authorities for Melksham specifically, Wiltshire as a whole, and indeed further afield, have yet to square the circle of cars and roads around schools.”

Headteacher at Melksham Oak Community School, Steve Clark  said, “We are aware of tensions surrounding the issues of parking for schools, so we make every effort to be good neighbours and appeal to the good nature of the parents to be considerate when dropping off and picking up their children. Saying that, we haven’t had any complaints for over a year.”

Richard Wood continued, “I think it’s about changing habits. If you live close to schools, consider leaving your car at home and walking. Also, people need to be polite and consider the effect that their actions have on other people.”