Call for considerate parking outside Rubery school

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A RUBERY mum has urged the police to clampdown on parents who park dangerously on the zig-zags outside the village's Holywell Primary School.

And the woman, who did not want to be named, has collected almost 300 names on a petition in support of her calls, which she has submitted to the police, the school and local Rubery councillor Coun Peter McDonald.

She said: "We need to do all we can to stop this happening because it is really dangerous and, if it is not dealt with, someone is going to get seriously injured or killed."

She added cars parking on the zig-zags outside the school were obscuring the view of children who were taking their lives in their own hands trying to cross.

"A friend of mine had to grab a child to stop him running out into the road.

"She then had to apologise to his mum after, but if she hadn't of stopped him, he would have been knocked down."

And she added: "This is not just happening at Holywell, it happens at all schools and action needs to be taken."

Holywell Primary School headteacher John McMillan said: "We are very keen, from a safety point of view, for parents to park safely.

"And we have been actively encouraging them to park considerately through our newsletter.

"The police and community support officers have been very helpful and it has definitely made a difference."

Coun McDonald set up a site visit with Highways officers and the issue was earmarked as a priority at a recent PACT (Partners and Communities Together) meeting.

Local policing officer for Rubery, PC Tim Burling, said: "We would advise parents to be considerate when parking outside the school, particularly where the zig-zag lines are marked as these mean 'no stopping'.

"Road markings are there for the safety of motorists and pedestrians and should not be ignored, especially on the roads near a school.

"Traffic wardens do monitor the area and have been known to issue tickets to motorists who have parked in a particularly inconsiderate or dangerous way."