Parents cause parking danger (From Penarth Times)

Parents cause parking danger

A PENARTH school is calling for measures to stop parents abandoning cars when they pick up their children.

It claims Evenlode is so congested due to parents ferrying children about that some cars are dangerously triple parked.

Head teacher Allan Jenkins said: "We have to call the police out regularly to make sure cars are moved. Some parents leave their cars in the middle of the road to fetch their children."

He added: "We know the Vale Council has put a scheme forward to the Welsh Assembly to put a cycle path-way into the school.

"If the children have a safe way to get to school by bicycle then it would reduce the traffic significantly."

A Vale of Glamorgan spokesman said: "So many parents take their children to Evenlode School that as much as 70 to 80 percent of the pupils come by car.

"The idea we have put forward is to have a cycle route for children to use incorporating a toucan crossing.

This is similar to a pelican crossing but is for bikes to cross the road. It will be at the junction of Westbourne Road and Clinton Road."

He added: "Other measures such as speed cushions which are like speed bumps but are placed along the width of a road.

"We have sent out letters to residents if they have aired concerns about the measures we intend to implement."

A parent of two Evenlode pupils and resident of Westbourne Road, Jane Drake said: "I work in Cardiff and make sure that I leave in enough time to get to school.

"But I know that some parents simply park anywhere and say they are leaving their vehicle for just a few minutes.

"It is not all the parents who double park it is the same people all the time.

"I understand that people have to work as I do but that is no excuse to park anywhere."

Mr Jenkins added: "Any initiative that can help the situation is welcomed because at 9am and 3.30pm the road is almost impassable."