Staff, parents and children alike have reported seeing a few ‘near misses’ around school recently. There have been incidents in which both drivers and pedestrians were maybe at fault or at least guilty of a bit of a misjudgement or lack of concentration. It happens, but we’d urge everyone to be particularly careful around school. It does get busy and we can appreciate that it can be a bit of an unwanted stress.
For example, twice this week, we have seen cars mount the pavement at speed and come within a metre or two of pedestrians, including children, before coming to a halt and parking (illegally; there is no parking in front of the school at drop-off and pick-up times).
Cars should not be parking on the pavement or on the yellow lines or zigzags; neither should they block the emergency gate on Cliff Road.
Rules 239 to 247 of the Highway Code apply, including specifically:
you MUST switch off the engine
DO NOT stop or park:
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near a school entrance
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anywhere you would prevent access for Emergency Services
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opposite or within 10 metres (32 feet) of a junction, except in an authorised parking space
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near the brow of a hill or hump bridge
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in front of an entrance to a property
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on a bend
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You MUST NOT park partially or wholly on the pavement in London, and should not do so elsewhere unless signs permit it. Parking on the pavement can obstruct and seriously inconvenience pedestrians, people in wheelchairs or with visual impairments and people with prams or pushchairs.
We’d really hope that everyone in our community wants to look after one another and treat one another with respect – it’s the main message we try to get through to the children, after all. If and when things do go wrong, we all need to be calm and respectful. Sadly, adults and children alike have witnessed a few moments recently where one or other, or both, parties involved have been a bit hostile.
Without wanting to be patronising or to preach, please, please can we model respect, care, consideration and calm around school.