Parents call for action on 'dangerous' parking outside Wednesbury school

More than 180 concerned parents and staff have signed a petition calling for action to tackle illegal parking outside a Wednesbury school. more

Old Park Primary School headteacher Teresa Boddington branded the situation an 'accident waiting to happen'.

The petition calls for a lollipop lady to be instated at the school alongside a zebra crossing.

Complaints of vehicles speeding, parking on zig-zag lines and across driveways when picking up and dropping off children at the school have been on-going in recent months.

Parent, Hardeep Bhillon, whose four-year-old son is currently in reception class, said that she decided to start the petition after she feared a major accident would happen.

She explained: "It is frightening to think that the children may be at risk when going in and out of school - all just due to people parking inconsiderately on the road.

"I was even crossing myself when a car came speeding out of nowhere.

"It has been an on-going problem for quite a while, but this is the first time I have decided to start a petition as I feel now something seriously needs to be done by the council."

Headteacher Mrs Boddington added: "We are working closely with local PSCO's and have even set up our own junior PCSO system where children alert drivers to inconsiderate parking too.

"We are working together to appeal to the council to hopefully introduce some calming and road safety measures, as it is an accident waiting to happen."

Councillors have also supported concerns by requesting Sandwell Council 'camera cars' to attend Old Park Road and surrounding streets.

Councillor Elaine Costigan, who represents the Wednesbury ward, said that inconsiderate drivers had no thought for children's safety.

"It is just plain thoughtless behaviour from these drivers who aren't even thinking of the children's safety," she said.

"We have had meetings down there with the police and others.

"I have put a request in for camera cars to visit these particular sites.

"It needs wardens to patrol the area and catch these people and ticket the cars.

"From what I hear it is only getting worse," she added.

Wednesbury North Neighbourhood police team has been alerted to the parking situation, with Sergeant Sean Griffiths stating on a police blog that PCSO's were in talks with the school to tackle the situation.