Inconsiderate parking from parents has left extra patrols being carried out at a 2k a term private school.
Complaints have been made about "obstructive" parking by parents and carers outside of Red House School in Norton, Teesside.
The school has been working with Stockton Council in an attempt to ease congestion around The Green, and has now confirmed that additional patrols will be implemented near the independent school.
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Head Dr Rebecca Ashcroft said she has introduced a number of measures in order to ease the situation.
These include:
- staggered departure times in school for all pupils
- regular weekly communications with the Red House parent body
- writing to local residents to make them aware of any school events, which may put additional pressure on parking in the area
- regular contact with a Senior Community Protection Officer at Stockton Council
Ms Ashcroft said that a number of local residents who were upset about the parking issues had made contact to thank her for her actions.
She said: "The safety of the pupils at Red House and the local community is of the utmost importance to me, and since becoming Head in September 2021, I have introduced a number of measures to ease the parking situation around The Green in Norton; including, regular weekly communications with the Red House parent body, staggered departure times in school for all pupils and I have written to local residents to make them aware of any school events, which may put additional pressure on parking in the area e.g. our fireworks display on 5 November 2021.
"I have received emails and letters from a number of local residents thanking me for taking such a proactive stance.
"Following the recent patrols, I have also been in regular contact with a Senior Community Protection Officer at Stockton Borough Council this week and we are working closely to think of solutions to help ease congestion around The Green."
She said that the problems with parking are "historic" and the layout of the area is not conducive with the free-flow of traffic, due to the narrow roads and minimal parking.
Ms Ashcroft added: "The Civic Enforcement Team are very happy with the various steps taken by Red House and the continuing extensive efforts that will be made in collaboration with Stockton Borough Council moving forwards."
Councillor Steve Nelson, the Council’s Cabinet Member for Access, Communities and Community Safety, has urged parents and carers to park "reasonably" or walk to the school.
He said: "We have been carrying out some additional patrols near Red House School in Norton following a number of complaints about obstructive parking.
“Unfortunately, this is a problem at many schools across the Borough and we’d appeal to all parents and carers to park responsibly or, better still, to walk to school and leave the car at home where possible."
Last year, local primary schoolchildren made a video about parking and it has been shown at schools across the borough.
The school, which charges fees ranging from £2,063 for reception pupils up to £3,955 for years 7 to 11 pupils per term, was founded in 1929 and educates 267 children.
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