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Cracking down on the 'school run'
Parents and carers in Watford's Park and Nascot wards are being asked to turn over a new leaf when school resumes after the Easter break.
Police are appealing to them to be more considerate when they park to drop off or pick up their children from school.
Police have had to deal with instances where motorists have blocked residents' drives, parked on the keep clear lines outside the school or double parked, making it impossible for other vehicles to pass.
While the problem is ongoing outside all schools, in Park and Nascot wards it started escalating some six months ago.
Particular schools of concern are Holy Rood Roman Catholic School, Watford Boys' Grammar School, Cassiobury Infant School and Nascot Wood School.
Officers have since targeted the affected areas on three occasions, giving offending motorists £30 fines or £80 fines and three points on their licence. But the problem has continued.
PC Helen Dellera, ward constable, said: "There are places for parents and carers to park, so I would strongly urge them to think before they park.
"In some instances an emergency vehicle would be unable to get past these cars where they are parked or a child could be run over because drivers cannot see them.
"We want to avoid this at all costs, as well as making areas around these schools a pleasant place for residents, where they can come and go when they please."
She added: "We have carried out various operations, sent letters through schools and asked people to move their cars, but there is only so much we can do and the problem comes back when we are not available to police it.
"We can only make school areas safe and pleasant places at busy times with the help of parents and carers and we urge them to follow our advice in order to keep children safe and not to make life difficult for local residents."
5:24pm Wednesday 19th March 2008
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CommentPosted by: Roy Stockdill on 12:24am Thu 20 Mar 08
Isn't it rather pointless appealing to the supposed "better natures" of these selfish parents on the school run? They don't have better natures! They are simply ignorant and selfish and incapable of seeing anything beyond their own desires and convenience.
They should be made to walk their children to school or make them use public transport. And a system of three strikes - fines - and their cars get confiscated wouldn't half concentrate their minds!
Isn't it rather pointless appealing to the supposed "better natures" of these selfish parents on the school run? They don't have better natures! They are simply ignorant and selfish and incapable of seeing anything beyond their own desires and convenience.
They should be made to walk their children to school or make them use public transport. And a system of three strikes - fines - and their cars get confiscated wouldn't half concentrate their minds!
Posted by: JBB, Watford on 10:29am Thu 20 Mar 08
Where I live parents drop their kids of to play football, there are parking bays which would mean a 50 yard walk to the park but no they would rather park up on the pavements or double park so the bus cant get by!!!
Where I live parents drop their kids of to play football, there are parking bays which would mean a 50 yard walk to the park but no they would rather park up on the pavements or double park so the bus cant get by!!!
Posted by: Derek, Watford on 11:06am Thu 20 Mar 08
Bob Hope!
Posted by: watfordfields, Watford on 6:39pm Thu 20 Mar 08
I have to agree with Mr Stockdill and disagree with the mother who parked in a residents space today as my wife arrived home with a car boot full of shopping. I'm so sorry that I had to write your number down in order to make you move out of the residents space that costs me a total of £60 per year!
Perhaps you'd not noticed the empty spaces all along Watford Fields Road?
I have to agree with Mr Stockdill and disagree with the mother who parked in a residents space today as my wife arrived home with a car boot full of shopping. I'm so sorry that I had to write your number down in order to make you move out of the residents space that costs me a total of £60 per year!
Perhaps you'd not noticed the empty spaces all along Watford Fields Road?
Posted by: Jimbobfury, Watford on 12:17pm Wed 26 Mar 08
The idiots that park near Nascot Wood School are beyond belief! They are the most ignorant people I have ever come across...They park any where they want to. Most with their big 4x4s....now really do you need a 4x4 to travel around Watford...it's not likely that you will be doing any off road driving in it? You think about the protection that it gives you? Well think about this...the height of your bonnet is about the same height as your child that you are taking to school..not imagine the mess it would make of your child if they were to be hit by one....
The idiots that park near Nascot Wood School are beyond belief! They are the most ignorant people I have ever come across...They park any where they want to. Most with their big 4x4s....now really do you need a 4x4 to travel around Watford...it's not likely that you will be doing any off road driving in it? You think about the protection that it gives you? Well think about this...the height of your bonnet is about the same height as your child that you are taking to school..not imagine the mess it would make of your child if they were to be hit by one....
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