Parking Buddies are used on the pavement to deter drivers stopping or parking. They cannot be placed on the road or where they would cause the pavement width to be reduced to less 1.2 metres.
Road Safety banners have a No Parking/No Stopping message. They must be fixed within the school’s area, for example, school railings. They must not be fixed on to highway infrastructure such as pedestrian guardrails.
These are both funded through our partnership with Vision Zero South West
Parking Buddies and Banners Guidelines
- Devon County Council (DCC) have ten Parking Buddies Pavement Signs
- Parking Buddies are “Kiddie Cut Out Road Safety Pavement Signs” with a message on the ‘lollipop’. They are 1.1 metres in height and 63 cm wide, have a low centre of gravity (when filled with water/sand) for optimum stability and double-sided laminated graphics.
- They are used, on the pavement, to deter drivers stopping or parking in places that creates a potentially unsafe environment for pedestrians particularly children and families near a school entrance. For example, drivers stopping in a location, albeit temporarily, that reduces visibility, makes it difficult to cross the road or creates unnecessary congestion outside the school.
- With over 400 schools in Devon, and only ten Parking Buddies available, each school is likely to be loaned (free of charge) between two and four Buddies for a maximum of one school term. The Buddies cost approx £200 each and they remain the property of DCC and any damage or theft must be reported to DCC immediately.
- The school must be able to evidence how they already tackle inconsiderate parental parking and congestion issues.
- The school must provide exact locations where there are issues.
- Devon County Council officers will assess each school application and request on a case-by-case basis and will have the final decision on the schools and exact placement of each Buddy on the pavement/verge.
They cannot be placed on the road or where they would:
- cause the pavement width to be reduced to less than 1.2 metres.
- create visibility issues for children crossing the road. The height of the Parking Buddies could block the view of the children but could also hide them from the motorist’s view. For these reasons it is not recommended for the Parking Buddies to be placed on the edge of the footway adjacent to the carriageway.
- create a significant hazard for road and pavement users.
- where they would obstruct access particularly for those who use wheelchairs, mobility scooters and pushchairs.
- forces pedestrians into the road, either directly or because of the number of pedestrians
Therefore, there may be some schools/locations where there is not a safe or appropriate location to use the Buddies.
School’s responsibility
- Inform parents in advance of the Parking Buddies campaign and remind them generally of appropriate parking and stopping places.
- Put out and take in the Buddies in the mornings and afternoon.
- Buddies are to be used around school start and finish time only and must not remain out all day. They are unlikely to be needed outside of these times and risk being damaged, moved or stolen.
- The Buddies are to be placed so they face drivers/traffic unless it causes a hazard.
- Keep the Buddies in a clean condition and store in a safe location and ideally undercover or indoors.
- Do not drag them as the bases will break.
- The base should be filled with water/sand which makes them heavy and the school must ensure they can be lifted and moved safely. The Council does not accept any responsibility for any injuries or damage caused.
- Routinely monitor and dynamically risk assess the location of the Buddies to ensure they are not creating hazards for anyone that were not initially apparent. E.g. people with visual impairment or mobility issues using the route.
- Not use the Buddies if there is a risk that they will blow away when there are strong winds.
Road Safety No Stopping/No Parking Banners
- Road Safety banners must be fixed within the school’s area, for example, school railings.
- They must not be fixed on to highway infrastructure such as pedestrian guardrails.
- With over 400 schools in Devon, and only 17 banners available, each school is likely to be loaned (free of charge) one banner for a maximum of one school term.
- They remain the property of DCC and any damage or theft must be reported to DCC immediately.
- The school must be able to evidence, by providing their current School Travel Plan, how they already tackle inconsiderate parental parking and congestion issues.
- Devon County Council officers will assess each school application and request on a case-by-case basis and will have the final decision on the schools and exact placement of each Buddy on the pavement/verge.
How to request your Parking Buddies or Banners
Email rshelp@devon.gov.uk and attach your current School Travel Plan which must outline how you already tackle inconsiderate parental parking and congestion issues. The email should identify exact locations where there are issues e.g. photos, Google Streetview links, maps etc
Schools must follow the Parking Buddies and Banners Guidelines on this webpage. You will receive an email acknowledgment and be added to the list.