Children at a West Bromwich school are urging parents and carers to park safely at drop off and pick up times – or risk a fine.
Pupils at Lyng Primary School have designed their own banners which are being displayed on the railings outside the school in Horton Street.
Sandwell Council’s road safety team have delivered assemblies and lessons with pupils and the school after concerns were raised about parking around the school site.
As part of the work, the children designed their own banners and the winning designs have been printed and put outside the school and on lighting columns on the approach to school to urge drivers to take more care.
Leah and Gurpreet, both aged ten, designed an eye-catching banner saying: “Even if you are late, don’t park near our gate and Cameron, also aged ten, produced one saying: “If you care about children, think before you park.”
Deputy headteacher, Peter Staniland, said: “Parking has always been a concern of ours at the beginning and the end of the school day. We decided to team up with Sandwell Road Safety team and launched a competition – ‘Perfect Parking’ – during the school’s safeguarding week.
“The task was to design a road sign that could be made and put up around the streets.
“I am thoroughly delighted with the children’s great designs and they had great fun during the design process.
“I think they are going to make a big impact on the car parking outside the school.”
Sandwell Council’s cabinet member for sustainable transport, Councillor Jackie Taylor, who visited the school, said: “Earlier this year, the headteacher, staff, parents and children told us they were very concerned about the inconsiderate and sometimes illegal parking that was taking place outside the school putting everyone at risk during their journey to school.
“This included parking on double yellow lines and school zig zags outside the school entrance. Drivers were also blocking residents’ private driveways.
“I don’t understand why some parents and carers are risking the welfare and safety of children and other road users in this way.
“School assemblies were delivered to raise awareness of the situation, encourage as many children as possible to walk to school and ask the children to create banners with messages that would influence drivers to park safely around the school area.
“Walking to school gives children the opportunity to practise their road safety skills and they arrive energised for the start of the school day.
“We are continuing to work with West Midlands Police and our parking teams to ensure drivers follow the rules and penalties will be issued for failing to do so.”
This week – 16-22 November – is Road Safety Week organised by Brake, the road safety charity.