[Neil]

This subject is a pet hate of mine. Why do some parents think it is ok to risk the safety of my children by stopping on the yelloe zig zags outside school?

My son attends Hippings. Every morning cars stop on the zig zags like there are designed to be a drop off point. On some days a coach parks on them waiting to take children somewhere. People use the school entrance as a turning place, just because it is easy.

What does the school do about it?
Nothing!

Does the headteacher stand at the gates asking people not to stop there?
No!

Do the police issue fines for the offence?
No.

I attended the Area Council Meeting on April 12th. After the meeting I spoke to PC Tracey Finn, she is the Community Beat Manager for Oswaldtwistle. I asked her what is being done about the problem of cars stopping on the zig zags. I explained that I see it every day outside Hippings, St.Mary's and Fairfield Nursary. She explained that a scheme had been drawn up and approved to add a restricted parking yellow line opposite the zig zags outside St. Mary's. This was to be the start of a campaign to address the problem. She has been waiting 2 years for the council to paint the yellow line. The whole road has recently been resurfaced and repainted and the line did not get added.

I suggested that if there was a list of 50 names in The Observer of drivers who had been fined it would scare other drivers and may improve the situation. I was informed that when she stands outside the school no one stops on the yellow lines. I must have smiled so she explained that she cant issues fines if she is not in uniform.

She is going to look into the problem outside Hippings, I will just have to wait and see what happens.

I have just collect my other son from Fairfield Nursary and everybody was given the leaflet below regarding zig zags. It is good to know that some Headteachers are concerned about the issue.