Police crackdown on parking outside South Tyneside schools

Officers have been outside schools across the borough for the past two days.

Eight drivers were caught stopping in a restricted area yesterday and four this morning. All 12 will receive fixed penalty notices.

Police say they will continue to monitor the problem and are warning motorists they may be in marked or unmarked vehicles.

Sergeant Lee Butler from Motor Patrols South said: "The school raised concerns about parents stopping in no stopping zones outside the school - in other words the zig zagged area.

"This is a no stopping zone for a reason, it is dangerous for people to stop there, it causes an obstruction to other road users and pedestrians and affects the flow of the traffic increasing the chances of a collision.

"Our priority is the safety of all road users and we want to make sure everything is done to ensure all of those using the roads are safe especially as this is a primary school with young children.

"Parents should find somewhere safe to drop their child and if necessary park up and walk their child to the school gate, it might take a little bit longer but that extra time could be the difference in ensuring the safety of a young child."

Westoe Crown Primary School headmaster Stephen Price said: "Parking and stopping in this area is extremely dangerous and it has been a concern for the school for many years. We have 700 children at the school which is a lot of little feet and we're concerned it is only a matter of time before one of our children gets injured.

"We have campaigned for parents to be mindful of where they are stopping and parking, we have included details in our school newsletter, have a banner outside the school and significant signage reminding people it is a no stopping zone. However, we are still seeing people parking inconsiderately.

"This is a priority for us and this year School Council will be focussing on more public notices in the local area, not just for parents but visitors to the area as well. Ideally, we'd like parents to walk to school, that would be the best option but if they are going to park we would ask they park where it is safe to do so."