PARENTS’ problematic parking will finally be banned on a narrow cul-de-sac at pick-up and drop-off times.
Vicarage Lane in Royston, which serves Parkside Primary Academy and St John the Baptist Primary, has long been a source of contention for locals and school leaders.
Following long-running complaints to Barnsley Council, ruling cabinet members are now set to rubber-stamp a plan to implement a no stopping rule between 8am and 9.20am and 2.30pm and 5pm on weekdays.
The restrictions will be trialled for six months, documents revealed, although the council retains an option to make them permanent if they are successful.
A report said: “In recent years, parents’ drop-off and pick-up parking has become an increasing problem near the schools to the extent that Vicarage Lane is becoming heavily congested and obstructed.
“Parking currently takes place on both sides of the road, further narrowing the carriageway, creating a significant risk of conflict between both vehicles and pedestrians on this road due to limited space available and reduced visibility for all road users.
“Throughout the trial period the head of highways will monitor the effectiveness of the restrictions, considering any objections or representation received.
“Once the optimum restrictions have been in place for a minimum period of six months, they can then be made permanent subject to cabinet approval.
“An experimental traffic regulation order is the most efficient method to properly assess the changes in parking patterns which are difficult to predict and their impact on road safety.”
Consultation with local councillors, emergency services and the town schools was carried out in February and March this year and no objections were received.
Although walk-to-school initiatives have been a success – as have education leaders’ attempts to boost the amount of kids using bicycles to get to and from classrooms – matters are now at a tipping point, according to fed-up councillors and residents.
The council committed to a scheme to assess all schools sited on main roads in the borough to see if 20mph zones could be introduced to slow down traffic.
South Yorkshire Police warned that officers are aware of the worries and have the power to fine motorists who choose to flout parking regulations, while MPs have also appealed for common sense to prevail.
A police spokesperson said: “We would like to remind people to park considerably when dropping off and picking up children from school.
“If you park on the zig-zag lines or at the school gates, you are putting children at risk.
“You could also be committing an offence and receive a fine.”
