DRIVERS illegally parking outside St Peter’s Primary School could find their vehicle details passed on to the police as concerns mount over children’s safety. St Peter’s parent council have said that enough is enough as the problem continues to worsen. Sybil Wilson, the parent council chairwoman, told the Advertiser: “It’s getting beyond a joke now. “What drivers seem to be forgetting is that this is an offence. No-one should be parking or stopping anywhere near the zigzags or the school gate. “The parent council have been very active in trying to heighten awareness about the parking and stopping. We have even stood at the gates and asked drivers to move along, but again this can cause a bit of abuse from said drivers! “We try and hold a walking bus every few months to
promote walking to school. “The problem is always heightened, of course, if it’s raining or snowy days when drivers try to get as close as they possibly can to the school, with absolutely no thought about the safety of all our children. “What is it going to take for them to stop, an accident or heaven forbid a fatality? People really need to be much more considerate when parking.” Ms Wilson went on to say that it was not a problem unique to St Peter’s in Buckie, the situation not helped by the schools being in residential areas. She warned: “We would rather pupils from both school and nursery arrived five or 10 minutes late than not at all. “I would urge drivers to think again before parking on zigzags again. If it persists then number plates will be handed to the police.” Local councillors shared the concerns voiced by Ms Wilson.
Councillor Sonya Warren, who is fresh from highlighting problems caused by inconsiderate parking on Netherha Road (the Advertiser, September 18, Thoughtless motorists cause chaos), commented: “I fully share St Peter’s parent council’s concerns on this issue – there is a real threat to children’s safety here. “It’s thoughtless and selfish. What makes it worse, of course, is the fact that it’s completely needless. “I’d urge all parents and carers dropping their children off at the school or nursery to respect the restricted zones and park carefully. It doesn’t take much to do. “Those drivers who park illegally should be reported to the police.” Councillor Tim Eagle agreed that the problem affected other schools, stating that the changes to school hours had exacerbated the problems. He said: “I encourage
people, on nice days, to think about walking to school but understand that when the weather is bad, you have young children or you live some distance from the school, so this is not always possible. “Please, though, if you are driving to school make sure you abide by the law and don’t block people’s driveways or park on zigzag or yellow lines. “These are marked for safety reasons and the last thing anyone wants is for a child to be hurt.” Councillor Gordon Cowie added: “I sympathise with the problem but illegal parking is a matter for the police. “The council has no powers to charge motorists. “Surely parents know right from wrong when picking up their kids?” A spokeswoman for Police Scotland said: “We are aware of concerns around parking at the school and are working with our partners to address the matter.”