Fears a child will be killed as parents ignore parking rules
By Cherry Wilson
cherry.wilson@essnmedia.co.uk
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BUSY: Cherry Orchard Road, outside Al Khair School
A worried landlord fears a child is going to get killed if action is not taken to stop parents flouting parking rules outside an East Croydon school.
Tom Cloran, who runs The Orchard pub, on Cherry Orchard Road, is fed up with parked cars clogging up the street outside the Al-Khair Primary and Secondary School.
He fears a tragedy with parents "dangerously" parking on single yellow lines when dropping off and picking up their children.
Mr Cloran wants the council to ensure extra traffic wardens patrol the road at peak times.
He also wants double yellow or zig-zag lines painted on the road to act as a further deterrent.
"One of the kids is going to get knocked over and killed," Mr Cloran said.
"It happens at 9am and 3pm. The traffic can't get up and down the road. If you get one lorry driving down it will block up the road for 20 minutes.
"I'm getting fed up with it. It's irresponsible of parents to park there, but the council should do something about it."
But a neighbouring shopkeeper says he has sympathy for parents.
Hicham Abbad, owner of Casablanca sandwich shop, feels the council should come up with a solution that would benefit the school, parents and neighbouring shops.
"It's very hard for the parents," he said. "The road isn't wide enough. What can they do?
"The council should have somebody around at that time to make sure the traffic is flowing properly."
Speaking last week, in response, a spokesman for the council said: "We currently have the roads outside over 70 primary and infant schools to enforce and we do this on a rota basis as we are unable to visit each school daily.
"Cherry Orchard Road is on our list and we will monitor it next week, both morning and afternoons.
"Hopefully the presence of our civil enforcement officers will deter the persistent offenders.
"We are keen to work with both schools and the local media to get the message across that inconsiderate and dangerous parking outside schools poses a real risk to children's lives."
12 Comments
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by Sarah, Croydon
Wednesday, March 17 2010, 6:45PM
“My eldest two children attend Oval Primary. We are lucky to be in walking distance with no need to cross the main road. The only suitable place to park is by the back entrance and even then it is minimal. The car park is the staff car park, and is not meant to be used by parents. Some of our parents park on the yellow lines too but they have the sense to use the lollipop lady who outside the school before and after!”
by minter, biggin hill
Tuesday, March 16 2010, 12:07PM
“near where i live school run lazys park either side of the road on a blind bend.ive seen many driving to and from the school on mobile phone with kids in car crazy selfish people”
by AddiscombeReader, Addiscombe
Monday, March 15 2010, 10:52PM
“Am afraid that Jackie is quite right. It is shocking how some of these parents - and many others at schools in the borough - drive and park.
Appreciate that since this school is an Islamic school it may be one of few in the area and that may explain why some need to drive to it. But it's not reason enough for acting dangerouusly and without due consideration for other road users and pedestrians.
The other day at another local school I witnessed a parent letting their child out of their car at a ZEBRA crossing. Unbelievable!!!!”
by Chris, Shirley
Monday, March 15 2010, 10:30PM
“I live opposite St Johns primary and it's exactly the same there. The parents think it's perfectly acceptable to park across my drive and even get annoyed with me when I come home and want to park there! Just so the little darlings don't have to walk!!!”
by Anon, Anon
Monday, March 15 2010, 4:02PM
“Pure laziness on the parents behalf. And they wonder why their children are so fat.
And have you seen the size of some of these cars that the parents drive? They are like tanks!”
by Dave, Croydon
Monday, March 15 2010, 1:39PM
“It is because a lot of the parents today are lazy and will use a car to drive 2 minutes up the road to the local shops. It is almost as though they believe it is their right to stop right outside the school to drop off/collect their little darlings.
All this is doing is storing up problems for the future, there is a problem with childhood obesity now, it is little wonder when you see the little chunky kids being driven to their local school whilst stuffing their faces with Rice Krispie Squares and the like. These are the children who when they go home spend a huge amount of time playing X-Box and Playstation, until their dinner of something with chips is ready for them.”
by Jess, new addington
Monday, March 15 2010, 11:12AM
“I agreee with Jackie. So many people drive who could easily walk. I have made myself very unpopular at my children's school by daring to confront those who think it's ok for them to park on the zig zag yellow lines. I don't care. These morons are risking the lives of children because they are too lazy either to walk or, if they must drive, to park a little bit away from the school. I would have cctv outside every school entrance and automaticaly fine everyone who parks in a dangerous and inconsiderate way. There are no excuses.”
by Mr Angry, The Estate
Monday, March 15 2010, 10:52AM
“The parking rules are a joke with little enforcement because they are getting enough money from speed cameras and parking stasi wardens they dont care about the life of a child.”
by Enoch, Croydon
Monday, March 15 2010, 9:27AM
“The problem is that this school is very close to Oval Primary School where there is apt parking for those who wish to drive their children to school in the morning. Sadly some members of our community decided that they wanted their children to go to a school with muslims only. Would it not be nice if we all had the opportunity to do the same, but then we (whites) would be racist.”
by Mike, Old Coulsdon
Monday, March 15 2010, 9:19AM
“it's bad everywhere ! i live by Keston School and the parents need to: learn how to park... STOP parking over drop kerbs.... STOP park over the yellow zig zag lines, THEY ARE THERE FOR A REASON...... Also have to agree with Jackie !”