The painting of double yellow lines on a road near Kirkby Stephen Primary School to improve safety has angered some parents who say they are now unable to park in order to drop off and pick up their children.
Claire Bainbridge told the Herald that she wanted help raising awareness of an issue which the primary school community within Kirkby Stephen was facing.
She said: “Over the previous few months we have been faced with a police presence at the school gates, which has been unnerving and quite intimidating for children as they leave their school.
“A few locals have reported that this is in relation to unsafe and inconvenient parking at school drop off and pick up times. It now appears that on this Sunday morning double yellow lines are being painted without prior warning to parents.
“We are now unable to park outside our school. No alternatives have been recommended or provided and no prior warning to parents has been given, meaning that some parents will turn up tomorrow morning without having made alternative arrangements for their children.
“There has been no consultation between residents, the council or parents and it is unclear from the lack of information about the matter, if school has been involved in any consultations too. This is causing huge animosity between parents and residents and giving an unwelcoming message to our children.
“I have also contacted Cumbria County Council and I am awaiting their response. The school have also been contacted and again awaiting their response.
“It is also unclear if any consideration has been given to those who require disabled access to school.”
Kirkby Stephen county councillor Phil Dew said: “A full process of consultation was carried out which included the primary school and local residents and a notice was printed in the Herald. All the responses were considered when the Eden local committee approved the Traffic Regulation Order at a meeting which I chaired.
“The safety of children is our paramount consideration and it is clearly not acceptable for motorists to park on the corner of junctions or on both sides of Nateby Road which restricts access for buses and causes an obstruction. It’s unfortunate that some motorists choose to act irresponsibly thus necessitating the presence of police officers to enforce the restrictions and keep the peace.
“Cumbria County Council is not in a position to provide alternative parking places because it has neither the money or the remit to intervene in this way. Hopefully the situation will improve over time.”
A Cumbria County Council spokeswoman said: “The road outside of Kirkby Stephen Primary School becomes congested at peak times, leading to inappropriate parking, visibility concerns and pavement blocking. This impacts the safe passage of vehicles. It also leaves school buses unable to access the collection/drop off point safely.
“As the highways authority we are responsible for ensuring the highway is safe for all users. The proposals for the introduction of parking restrictions were initially consulted upon in March, 2022, with letters delivered to affected properties, including the school.
“Following the consultation feedback and a residents’ meeting (which included the town council and local member) the proposal was amended.
“Statutory consultation commenced in July 2022, which included an advertisement in the local paper, site notices displayed on site, information displayed on Cumbria County Council’s website and further letter drops. No objections were received, and Cumbria County Council Eden local committee approved the proposal in September 2022.
“The restrictions and the support from local police are intended to provide a safe area outside of the school to allow children to cross the road safely, facilitate a safe collection/drop off point for school buses, and help in encouraging walking to school schemes.
“Motorists who display blue badges are exempt from ‘no waiting at any time’ parking restrictions for up to three hours, but we ask all drivers to consider the safety of children when using the road outside the school at all times.”
