Parents’ parking is a worry for Warwickshire schools
Many parents are continuing to cause environmental harm and put children’s lives at risk by parking outside Warwickshire schools.
Despite the majority of parents living within a mile of their children’s school, almost half of all primary and a quarter of all secondary youngsters are driven to school each day.
In Warwickshire 49 per cent of primary and 23 per cent of secondary age children are driven to school each day in the county.
In surveys of parents sent home with children by a number of schools in Warwickshire, the main reason stated by parents for not either walking their children to school or parking a 15 minute walk from the school gates, is simply time.
Laura Vesty, a Sustainable Travel Officer with Warwickshire County Council, said: “Parents are seriously risking the health and safety of children by parking so close to the school gates. The majority of schools I’m working with say that congestion outside school is a major issue with parents parking dangerously and not checking as they reverse onto pavements. Many schools and parents also worry that one day a child will be hurt.”
Nationally in 2005, 16 children aged seven or under were killed or seriously injured each week in road related accidents. Those aged between eight and 11 were killed or injured at a rate of 23 per day.
Cllr Martin Heatley, Warwickshire County Council’s Portfolio Holder for the Environment, said: “Parents should try to make more time to walk with their children before and after school. Even if parents must use their cars, they could still park a 15-minute walk from the school gates and have a healthy walk.
“It’s important for children to have an hour’s exercise every day and walking to school can also allow them to spend valuable time with parents. A healthy walk to and from school is one of the best times for parents to talk to their children about their day.”
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