Ramsgate head teacher hits out at motorists 'parking dangerously' outside primary school
10:00, 17 November 2021
updated: 12:41, 17 November 2021
A head teacher has urged drivers to stop parking "dangerously" on pavements and grass verges outside a school.
Hannah Tudor says she is "very concerned" about the ongoing issue outside Newington Community Primary in Ramsgate.
She has hit-out at drivers for being a danger to children and families on their way to and from school.
"Some parents have again raised the issue of inconsiderate parking outside the school and this is another plea for drivers to park safely and considerately," she said.
"We are now working very closely with Thanet Council to manage the situation and we need families to urgently take note of certain important issues."
Miss Tudor outlines the school’s stance in her latest newsletter to all families, posing the following questions.
"Do you need to park on the pavement?," she writes. "If so, can a person with a pram or a child in a wheelchair get past?
"Do you have to park so close to the school gates? Are there other places, slightly further away that you could park?
"Do you need to park on grass verges? Children are not equipped to navigate cars parked on green spaces. We teach our girls and boys that these areas are safe and they should be – cars should not be parked on them.
"Do you need to park on corners and bends in the road? This makes it challenging for other road users and puts children in danger when they are trying to cross the road.
"Do you need to bring the car at all? If we reduce the cars, we reduce the problem."
Last month, Newington Community Primary reinforced road safety for its children by linking with Kent County Council to deliver workshops designed to engage youngsters from reception through to Year 6.
A Thanet District Council spokesperson said: "Irresponsible and illegal parking in and around school grounds can cause serious problems for pedestrians and other road users, restricting access for vital emergency services, and can even be fatal.
"We always ask that vehicle users are vigilant of their surroundings and make the right decisions when parking. Your choice could easily save somebody's life.
A multi-agency event, Operation ZigZag, is due to take place at Newington Primary in January to warn drivers of the dangers of hazardous parking.
The roads the school have zigzag lines and there are no other enforceable areas where penalty charge notices can be issued.
The statement added: "For example, our civil enforcement officers cannot move on vehicles that are parked on pavements or blocking residential driveways. These issues should be reported to Kent Police.
"Thanet District Council’s Civil Enforcement Officers attend all schools in the district at peak times in the morning and afternoons and are working on a CCTV scheme which will be piloted at a number of schools next year."
