Parents told 'more than once' about unsafe parking

Police say parents parked unsafely and inconsiderately near schools had to be "spoken to on more than one occasion" on the same day.

In a joint operation with the fire service, the Northamptonshire force challenged 14 drivers who had stopped on corners, double yellow lines, on or by a pedestrian crossing, or had double parked and were blocking access for emergency vehicles.

It said the aim of the parking clampdown in Northampton had been to highlight what police officers and fire crews "encounter daily".

"Even small delays can have serious consequences when emergency services are responding to incidents where lives, property or public safety are at risk," a police statement added.

Tuesday's 40-minute safety operation was in Booth Lane, Queenswood Avenue, Churchill Avenue, Spinney Hill Road, Oulton Rise and Coppice Drive.

Rebecca Payne, headteacher of Boothville Primary, one of the schools in the area, said: "As a school we respectfully remind our parents, via the newsletter, to be mindful of where they are parking."

Northamptonshire Police said that, despite it working with schools to "teach and promote road safety", and the schools communicating with parents and carers about safe parking, more operations were planned.

"Unfortunately, several drivers had to be spoken to on more than one occasion."

At Spinney Hill Road, officers found some drivers were back on double yellow lines they had already been asked to move from "despite the restrictions being necessary to maintain access for the fire appliance involved in the operation".

The force added that parking restrictions were in place "for the safety of all road users, particularly children".

"We ask everyone collecting or dropping off children to consider residents, other motorists, pedestrians and emergency services when choosing where to park."

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