Traffic congestion and problems at school travel time can be an issue outside many schools. Often this is caused by the volume of parents/carers who stop or park, sometimes inconsiderately or inappropriately, near the school entrance.
There is not one magic solution to fix this. It will require a range of measures applied regularly throughout the school year and commitment from the school and wider school community.
Where not to park
- Near the school entrance.
- On the SCHOOL KEEP CLEAR yellow zigzag lines.
- On single yellow lines when a restriction is in place.
- On double yellow lines.
- Where it will affect visibility or make it difficult for others to walk or cross the road.
- See school parking Video 1 and Video 2 by Sgt Owen Messenger in Devon and Cornwall Police Roads Policing
What we do
We can help schools set up many free projects to encourage children to walk and cycle. This can reduce the number of children driven to school.
What the school and wider school community can do
School
- A School Travel Plan is an opportunity to formally record what measures the school are taking to discourage parents driving children to school and parking near the school. The plan should tackle the issue of inconsiderate parking and congestion outside the school.
- Extend the times children can enter the school premises as this will result in spreading the number of drivers/parents arriving at school over a longer period of time.
- Consider opening up other school entrances/exits, if possible, to reduce congestion at one location.
- Report a problem with road markings and signs or lights
Enforcement
- Report a parking problem
- Try and establish a working relationship with Devon County Council’s Civil Parking Enforcement (CPE) team and also the local Police officer.
- Dangerous or inconsiderate parking that is causing an obstruction should be reported to the Police.
- Report a road traffic incident | Devon & Cornwall Police
Education
- Fewer parents driving and less cars near the school gates can go a long way to reducing the issue.
- Tell parents that do drive, to park considerately and away from the school.
- Parents that drive and wait for their children MUST NOT leave their vehicle engine ‘idling’. See Highway Code Rule 123.
- School staff positioned outside the school to verbally discourage inappropriate parking and to welcome pupils and parents.
- Purchase no parking/stopping banners and fix to school railings/fence.
- Deliver lessons in school to promote and encourage sustainable travel. Lesson plans are available on the government websites THINK! and Bikeability.
- Sustainable Travel Days rewards and incentives for children who walk, cycle, scoot or catch public transport. See Living Streets ‘Walk to School’
Help parents and children with their school journeys
- Provide information to encourage children cycling to school, for example, details of the cycle parking at the school or create videos of popular routes.
- Maps identifying cycling and walking routes, footpaths or cut-throughs, shared paths and quiet streets.
- Set up Park and Stride or Walking Bus