Red line scheme to stop parents parking at schools

Those caught stopping or parking on the lines could receive a fine

Red lines are to be painted outside 30 schools to prevent parents stopping or parking at drop-off and pick-up times.

Gloucestershire County Council staff will be painting the lines as part of a trial to improve safety.

The lines will be painted outside the five schools in each district that have recorded the highest number of collisions and received the highest number of parking complaints.

Amy Coole, assistant head teacher of Abbeymead Primary School, said: "A lot of the unsafe parking practices could lead to an accident if they aren't addressed."

The scheme, which has already been used in Blackpool, would see a fine issued to anybody caught stopping on the red lines, although the amount is yet to be confirmed.

'Unsafe parking practices'

Ms Coole said parking at Abbeymead Primary School is "definitely a problem", with parents and carers parking on zig zag lines, double yellows, grass verges and along junctions.

"We recently did a survey with our parents about safe travel practices and we had lots of parents respond," she said.

"The majority of comments highlighted that a lot of the unsafe parking practices could lead to an accident if they weren't addressed, so it's something we've been directly working on recently."

A similar scheme has already begun in Blackpool

Although keen for safety measures to be implemented, Ms Coole said the parking changes could be difficult for schools to enforce.

"I think it'll be very hard to enforce them," Ms Coole said.

"I don't think schools have the capacity to be able to send those out, so I'd be interested in hearing how that would be enforced."

Gareth McColl, a parent at St Peter's Catholic Primary School, said "clear definitive markings" are needed as the school run becomes "a free for all".

"People push boundaries. If there's no markers, no lines and no patrols, people will do it until they're told otherwise, which presents challenges.

"What we need is clear definitive markings."

Gloucestershire County Council is yet to confirm which schools will receive the red lines.