Parking outside schools

Parking outside schools

Parking Around Schools – Please Park Responsibly 🚗

We have received concerns regarding parking outside local schools during pick up and drop off collection times. Many of the issues relate to vehicles parking too close to junctions and on dropped kerbs causing hazards for pedestrians and other road users.

Parking restrictions outside school are there to keep you and your children safe. Parking inconsiderably can put people in danger and you also risk being fined. It’s important that motorists follow the highway code.

HIGHWAY CODE RULE 243: Drivers should not park within 10 metres (32ft)of a junction.

REASON – Parking too close to a junction can obstruct visibility, increase the risk of collisions and disrupt the flow of traffic

ENFORCEMENT – Vehicles causing an obstruction or danger may be subject to police action where appropriate.

PEDESTRIAN SAFETY – Parents and children may be forced to step into the road to see past parked vehicles. 

TRAFFIC CONGESTION – Narrow roads can become blocked when vehicles park inconsiderately.

EMERGENCY ACCESS – Poor parking can prevent or delay access for emergency service details.

Understanding yellow zigzag markings

Most school entrances and exits in the UK have yellow zigzag road markings with the writing ‘School Keep Clear’.

Zigzags can also be found at entrances and exits of hospitals, fire stations, police stations and ambulance stations. They indicate the part of the road where motorists should not wait, stop, or park a vehicle. 

Sometimes there may be an accompanying sign that shows specific times when these restrictions are in place. Motorists are legally allowed to park on the zigzags outside of these hours.

Both yellow and white zigzags also show areas that must be kept clear so that children and other road users can see clearly when crossing the road.

Parking on yellow zigzags.

Yellow zigzags without accompanying signs advise motorists not to wait or park there at any time for the safety of children and others. We can and do issue tickets for parking on them, based on causing an obstruction to other motorists or pedestrians.

Some yellow zigzags have a single or double yellow line, which indicate different parking restrictions.

Fines

Local councils can issue motorists with penalty charge notices (PCN) for waiting, stopping, or parking on yellow zigzags if restrictions are in place. These are issued by civil enforcement officers.

Most parking or waiting fines are now enforced as a civil matter, rather than a police matter. We can and do issue fines or warnings where appropriate. A PCN does not result in a criminal record or points on a licence if dealt with by the council.

A disability badge does not allow a person to cause an obstruction or park inconsiderably. You are still expected to park safely without causing potential danger for other road or pavement users.

Our Message to Parents and Visitors

We understand that school drop-off and collection times can be busy, but we ask everyone to park legally, safely and considerately. A few extra moments spent finding a suitable parking space can make a significant difference to the safety of children, pedestrians and other road users. 

Please help us keep our school communities safe by parking responsibly.