Child safety fears over parking around village school

Residents in a cul-de-sac are to be asked if they want their own parking zone as part of efforts to improve safety for children and pedestrians around a primary school.
The entrance to Hart Primary School in Magdalene DriveThe entrance to Hart Primary School in Magdalene Drive
The entrance to Hart Primary School in Magdalene Drive

Concerns had been raised over what have been dubbed “inconsiderate and lazy” parents parking close to Hart Primary School to drop off and collect children in Magdalene Drive.

Highways officers at Hartlepool Borough Council proposed introducing parking restrictions outside the school and a number of homes in the road.

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But some residents objected to having double yellow lines outside their properties and are instead to be consulted over a possible residents only parking area.

A petition started by grandmother and childminder Janet Ord who walks to the school each day said there were “grave concerns” for children’s safety due to vehicles parking on the footpath pushing pedestrians into the road.

The petition added: “The car park adjacent to the school is adequate for drivers to park their cars and escort their children into the school but every morning we the mums, dads and grandparents have to watch as an admittedly minority of lazy and inconsiderate drivers who are late or just too lazy to use the proper facilities, park their vehicles with no thought to the safety of pedestrians or other road users.”

The issue was considered at a meeting of the council’s Neighbourhood Services Committee.

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Magdalene Drive resident Keith Williams said the proposed restrictions would be unfair by preventing residents who have not contributed to the problem from parking outside their homes.

He said there were alternatives such as introducing a school bus service or relocating the staff parking.

Mike Blair, the technical services manager said such issues were not in the gift of the council.

The proposed parking restriction was for no waiting, loading or unloading between 8am-9.30am and 2.30pm-4pm Monday to Friday. Councillor Paul Beck said: “I think we have to work with the residents.”