Children warn parents of illegal parking

Elm Wood Primary School children with PCSO Dominique Grimes

Primary school children in Middleton are sending a stern message to parents parking in front of school gates.

A banner with the words ‘no stopping on our zig zags’ has been placed on the railings outside Elm Wood Primary School as a warning to those parked where they shouldn’t be.

It was created by class nine pupil Jacob Blakeley, who submitted the design for a competition as part of the Junior PCSO scheme encouraging parents to park safely when dropping off and picking up pupils from the school.

PCSO Dominique Grimes from Middleton Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: “All of the juniors from the school took part in the competition and the final winner was chosen by Jacqui Hogg from the Impact Partnership.

“The competition was another way for us to educate youngsters about the importance of parents parking safely at school times. All too often parents are found parking indiscriminately outside the schools at peak times and this poses a real danger for youngsters.

“I hope this sign will act as a reminder to parents that their actions are putting their own children at risk.”

Eric Holliday, Middleton’s Community Safety Officer at Rochdale Borough Council, said: “The winning banner is now on display placed prominently outside the school gates so parents have no excuse for parking illegally. The children have really engaged with the Junior PCSO project and I’m sure their presence and the banner will drive home the message to parents that their dangerous parking is putting children’s lives at risk.”

Jacqui Hogg, Community Liaison Officer at the Impact Partnership, who manage road safety on behalf of Rochdale Borough Council said: “Parking outside schools on zigzag lines is illegal and also very dangerous as pedestrian views are restricted and drivers cannot see children stepping out from in between cars.

“We hope that by adopting this joint approach of working with the PCSO’s, school children and the teachers this scheme will raise awareness and hopefully change peoples’ parking habits outside the school gates.”

To report a crime contact Greater Manchester Police on 0161 872 5050 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

You can also contact the Middleton Neighbourhood Policing Team directly about any issues related to crime or anti-social behaviour on 0161 856 8701 or email middletonpartnership@gmp.police.uk