Campaign to target thoughtless parking near schools

PARENTS of children in Doncaster are targeted in a new police and council campaign to cut the hazard from cars parked near schools at the beginning and end of the day.

The No Waiting, No Parking, No Excuse campaign was launched at Hilltop School in Edlington, where council officers and police say parking outside school gates is a particular problem.

Project leaders will use 25 banners, which were paid for by community groups, that highlight areas where parents are asked not to park or wait in their car for their child.

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The project will be backed by the police, although it is not clear whether parents will be fined for repeatedly ignoring the order to park further away while dropping off or collecting their children.

The banners were designed by PCSO Scott Christie, of South Yorkshire Police, who said: "This is a big problem which affects nearly all schools in the borough.

"This is a long-term project and has been created to try and change people's attitudes and behaviour when parking their vehicles near schools.

"We're also going to be launching a competition for pupils to design a mascot which will be used to promote the project and road safety across Doncaster."

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Doncaster Council said the scheme had received "good feedback from parents and teachers across the borough" and added the banners and the scheme would be introduced across Doncaster at a later date.

Don Valley MP Caroline Flint, who was present at the launch event on Friday with local councillor Elsie Butler, said she supported the project and added that she hoped it would improve safety for children.

Police and council members also took part in the launch as well as members of Edlington's Tenants and Residents Association, who arranged for the funding of the village's banners.