Pupils launch protest against drivers parking illegally outside schools
PUPILS protested at drivers who keep parking on zig zag lines outside their school.
Children from St Swithun's Catholic Primary School in Southsea handed out leaflets and spoke to drivers in St Simon's Road in a plea for them not to endanger lives by parking illegally.
The four pupils, who were recently appointed as junior road safety officers for the school, also took action in a bid to protect children at nearby Mayville High School.
Rebecca Johns, 10, Jordan Taylor, 10, Elle Stokes, seven, and Louis Holbrook, nine, were backed by police community support officers and city council who acted following an increase in the number of cars flouting the law by parking on the zig zag lines.
No drivers parked illegally while the protest was held yesterday morning.
But officers have powers to hand out 30 fixed penalty notices to any driver caught breaking the law.
Nicola Waight, road safety co-ordinator at Portsmouth City Council, said: 'A lot more parents are starting to park on the zig zag lines outside the school.
'It's dangerous because it blocks the children's view when they are trying to cross the road.
'The area needs to be kept clear for their safety.
'Every parent wants to get their child to school safely but by parking on the lines they are making it unsafe for other children.
'They can also be given a fixed penalty fine of 30 for parking on the lines - it is illegal.'
Liz Bradbury, joint headteacher at St Swithun's Catholic Primary, said it was a long-running problem.
'The biggest issue is parents who try and get as close as they can to the entrance in their cars,' she said.
'We have a wide catchment area and we accept that some parents have to drive their children to school.
'But we know there are many who could perhaps walk and we do everything we can to encourage that.
'For those who do drive it is important for them not to park on the zig zag lines for the safety of pupils.'
The pupils also handed out bookmarks to youngsters as they made their way to school and an eye-catching banner was put up to raise awareness among motorists.
Councillor Lynne Stagg, Lib Dem in charge of traffic and transport, said: 'It's dangerous to park on zig zag lines outside any school but there are two schools in St Simon's Road which are almost opposite each other.
'The road is quite narrow and gets heavily congested so it is particularly important that drivers use their common sense. If they park on the zig zag lines children could get hurt.'
Sergeant Justin Roberts, who heads up the Southsea Central Safer Neighbourhoods Team, added: 'Parking on the zig zag lines outside a school can be very dangerous with so many children and adults walking around and other vehicles in the area.
'By blocking the view outside the school gates drivers are creating a very real hazard.
'We are aiming to get this message across with the operation outside St Swithun's.
'Many people aren't aware that they are doing anything wrong by parking on zig zag lines and so by educating drivers we can help safeguard children on their way to and from school.'
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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