Warning over parking near schools

NO PARKING… road markings outside a school

With a new school term set to get underway, parents are being warned they face a £70 penalty charge if they endanger youngsters’ lives by parking on the yellow zig-zag lines.

Many schools are suffering from the actions of thoughtless drivers who continue to use the restricted zones when dropping off and collecting their children.

The zig-zag lines are in place to ensure the safety of pupils - they create a sight line which allows youngsters to see and be seen clearly before crossing the road. Parked vehicles can mask children trying to cross the road.

Impact Partnership currently manages road safety and parking on behalf of Rochdale Borough Council and its road safety and parking teams are working together to enforce the parking restrictions outside schools.

Any vehicles which are seen to be parked on the zig-zag lines will be issued with a £70 Penalty Charge Notice (PCN). If a Notice is unable to be issued due to violence, threats or the vehicle being driven away, the PCN will be served by post to the registered owner of the vehicle.

David Nicholson, Highways & Engineering Service Director for Impact Partnership, said:
“The majority of drivers do take notice of the markings and behave responsibly but unfortunately there is a persistent minority who ignore the restrictions.

“These people are putting children’s lives at risk by their selfish behaviour and they should be aware that we have the resources and the legal powers to take action.”