Renting drives could solve parking issues
Homeowners could be asked to loan or rent out their driveways under plans to tackle problem parking around a school.
It is one of a string of ideas being looked at to try to address long-running parking problems in Essington, South Staffordshire.
Parish councillor David Clifft said the poor parking near to a school in the village has got so bad it is an 'accident waiting to happen'. The idea would see people whose driveways are unoccupied at the time when children are arriving and leaving school to allow parents to use them.
Councillor Clifft said it could involve a loan or even a rental agreement.
Problems have centred around bad parking near St John's Primary School in the village.
Earlier this month, residents were urged to name and shame parents who were parking illegally outside the school.
They said it was a 'last resort' to encourage people to park sensibly.
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Councillor Clifft said another option would be to fine people who are caught parking illegally.
But he said the idea of loaning out driveways could benefit both homeowners and parents.
"There are advantages not only for parents but also for homeowners," he said.
"The house would like like it has somebody living there because it would have a car on its drive for part of the day.
"It could provide a bit of added security for elderly people as well.
"We're just looking at every option which comes up though."
Cars have been spotted parking in front of driveways, on the pavements and on yellow lines around the school, which is in Hobnock Road.
The school has also been trying to tackle the problem by creating a walking bus to encourage people to get to school on their own two feet.
But so far, these efforts have failed.
Councillor Clifft said: "The main thing is we don't want there to be an accident and most of all we don't want there to be a fatality."
In Wolverhampton council chiefs have introduced a camera car to catch those parking illegally near schools.
Drivers given a penalty charge notice (PCN) must pay £70, or £35 if they settle up within three weeks.
