Parking Around Schools

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Permalink Reply by Dave W on March 8, 2020 at 11:40

Haringey does enforce them, but usually only as a reaction to a school’s request. Clearly there aren’t enough enforcement resources to plonk an officer outside every school, and once parents identify a pattern it’d become pointless.

The school at which I am on the governing body implores parents to find alternative ways of transporting their children to school. Clearly in some cases a private vehicle is the only reasonable method of doing this but the vast majority of car use replaces walking journeys of 15 minutes or less.

Poor parking isn’t the only danger. You rightly point out idling vehicles as desperately detrimental to young children’s respiratory systems. Some parents, however, believe it is their god given right to do this to stay warm or charge their devices.

In light of resource constraints, how to challenge? Schools can engage with local neighbourhood police who will come and do the rounds in addition to the occasional appearance of an enforcement officer (this has its own challenges as one party points at the other as responsible for dealing with it).

Some schools - West Green primary is a good example - take a very visible approach, with barriers, cones and what I presume are volunteer parents and teachers patrolling the gates. This is great if you have a couple of battleaxes on the staff and in the parent body, but not all schools do and most would rather avoid the conflict you describe between parents and staff.

I’ve also had reason to use Weston Road around school kick out time and it is an absolute nightmare. Frustratingly, parents simply cannot see the damage they are causing or potentially causing to both their own children and others.

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Permalink Reply by Bob Ruggles on March 8, 2020 at 15:11

Well aware that Enforcement would need several officers. I have often seen Enforcement close to the school in numbers at Noel Park. Usually the other side of the Church

Normally patrolling around near school once children and parents have left

Issue at Noel Park is that the Police have been called several times as Parents argue about their right to Park in their space. Even though it is a No Parking area

Was with Highways Enforcement , when Parking Restrictions was first brought into Haringey

It was discussed that Schools would need a number of Wardens to Enforce restrictions

Was discussed about putting in camera Enforcement to save Warden issues and assaults

I also used to attend schools wearing my Yellow Enforcement Jacket. Taking pictures of Offenders, which at the started resulted in drivers getting a Warning letter.                                                       That as scheme was in use, and they would be receiving Parking Tickets in future 

Yes sometimes the Local Beat Officer would also attend. aware those days are long gone

As Council Budget Cut Enforcement Team, many years ago

My issue is that it Shows how much Our Current Elected Ward Councillors are Worried about the Health of the Borough Children. By Allowing schools to be surrounded by vehicles. Often with engines running all year around. as they wait for school Children

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Permalink Reply by Madeline on March 13, 2020 at 12:25

I once saw a fire engine with walk-about firemen handing out leaflets to these selfish drivers pointing out that they were blocking the road for emergency vehicles as well. Most of the drivers took a leaflet and drove off only to come back behind the fire engine as it passed by and stop in the same place again. They then threw the leaflets out their windows.

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