Newington Community Primary in Ramsgate has become the first school in Thanet to join a nationwide scheme called Operation Safety Net in a bid to crack down on dangerous driving and parking outside the site.
The multi-agency drive will include enforcement officers issuing fines to deter illegal and potentially dangerous parking at the school that can pose a threat to pupils.
Thanet Community Safety Partnerships Officers, Police Community Support Officers and Community Wardens are among the agencies who have visited Newington CPS during the early morning school rush to gather first-hand information to back up the school’s growing concerns.
Emma Manning, the school’s attendance officer, said: “Poor parking can pose a real threat to the safety of our pupils and others using the footpaths around the school.
“Concerns have been raised about vehicles illegally parking, being left on grass verges and paths forcing people to walk in the road, parking across people’s driveways, or traffic jams caused by the sheer volume of traffic generated by poor traffic flow through illegal parking.
“Kent Fire Brigade is involved in this project at Newington as well because it is vital that there is enough road space at any time for fire engines or any other large emergency vehicle to have safe road access in response to any kind of call for help.
Head teacher Cliff Stokes said: “It is a vitally important community project and our school is happy to be the first in the area to become involved.
“Safety outside of the school gates is something we discuss with all age groups. As part of Operation Safety Net there will be full school assemblies and class assemblies to make sure our children are fully aware of how to be a safe pedestrian.
“Apart from the public safety aspect, it would be beneficial for people’s health if they parked safely a little further away from the school during the busy traffic periods and actually walked.”
Thanet Community Safety Partnership officers Katherine Turner and Cara Radford have also visited Newington to witness the morning rush.
Katherine said: “Operation Safety Net is a nationwide campaign and we are looking at safety issues outside all schools in the area.
“We are particularly concerned that illegal and thoughtless parking can pose a real risk to children’s lives.”
Parking on school zig zag zones, double yellow lines and dropped kerbs are among the issues. This week Katherine and Cara were handing out dummy yellow and black distinctive parking fine tickets to people around the school to raise awareness of illegal parking outcomes.
Information gathered by the agencies will be collated to build a picture so that the specific needs of schools can be acted upon.
‘Paramount’
Mr Stokes said: “Generally the behaviour of motorists visiting our school is very good. They observe the safety and warning signs we put in place, and they very sensibly use our parking bays and designated drop off points.
“Often it is drivers who are not part of our school community who barge along the busy roads outside the school.
“Our safety crossing patrol Sasha Roberts does a splendid job and she is always vigilant to sense potential danger to our children as they cross the road by the gates and as they walk along the footpaths.
“School staff also patrol the area, so we are doing our best to reinforce the safety message through a physical presence at key times during the day.
“The safety of our children is paramount and any project to support our own ongoing initiatives to protect them and their families on their way to and from school is hugely welcomed.”