Students and parents in Bushey are being educated about road safety this month in an attempt to stop parents ignoring parking restrictions. 

Children aged between three and 11 in Bushey will be given talks by PCSOs Esther Ainsley and Carole Bull from the Bushey and Radlett Safer Neighbourhood Team with support from Hertsmere Borough Council’s Partnerships support officer Loran Kingston.

Eye-catching banners will also be put up outside the schools after the assemblies reminding drivers about parking restrictions that are in place, including not parking your vehicle on the pavement under any circumstances. 

PCSO Esther Ainsley said the project came about after a child was nearly knocked over because a car was speeding outside Bournehall Primary School.

She said: "We have been quite ambitious speaking to pupils at all the Bushey schools but it is a problem everywhere, with the afternoons worse as parents park their cars to pick their children up.

"The frustration is that it is the parents who are parking dangerously and inconsiderately.

"We hope that the pupils will tell their parents or carers not to park dangerously or illegally and highlight the consequences of their actions."

The first talk took place yesterday at Ashfield Junior School, and today the officers will visit Bushey Manor School and Sacred Heart Primary School.

Councillor Charles Goldstein, Hertsmere’s community safety portfolio holder, said: "Dangerous and thoughtless parking outside schools is a common issue in our communities so it’s great to see this partnership project try to address it.

"Parents especially should know the dangers of parking on yellow zig zags and in other restricted areas so we ask all of them and the wider community to please adhere to restrictions around school premises.  They are there for a reason, to help keep your children safe."

Parents will be invited to a follow-up talk to try and resolve the ongoing issue and see if the assemblies and enforcement has improved the parking problem around the school.