Pc is determined to make roads safer for children (From Basingstoke Gazette)

Pc is determined to make roads safer for children

10:24am Tuesday 8th April 2008 in

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A CRACKDOWN on inconsiderate drivers near a Basingstoke school has begun to pay off.

Pc Loraine Stockham, beat officer for Hatch Warren and Beggarwood, said that efforts to improve road safety for children walking to St Mark's C of E Primary School, in Danebury Road, Hatch Warren, have taken effect.

The police officer ran a week-long zero-tolerance campaign in a bid to stop people parking on single yellow lines within restricted times.

A few motorists flouting parking rules were handed fines by a traffic warden.

Police have also been conducting speed checks on vehicles travelling through the chicane traffic-calming measure in Woodbury Road, but so far have not had cause to issue any penalty notices.

Pc Stockham has met with the school and the board of governors, and wants to set up a public meeting at the school with local residents at the end of April.

Pc Stockham said: "It has improved massively.

"In December, I had a number of parents contact me about people driving past at rush hour, which was not helped by the parents parking on the side of the road."

She added: "I would advise parents to leave in plenty of time, do not park illegally and think of the safety of the children.

"That's what this campaign has always been about. It's not to issue parking tickets - it's to improve the safety of the roads for the children."

The school's parking spaces are reserved for visitors and staff only, meaning that parents have to park on the road or use the 50 spaces at Hatch Warren Community Centre, in Long Cross Lane.

Kim Robins, centre manager, said: "We would like to see the best use of the facility.

"We are more than happy for the parents to park here, but we want them to park in a safe and considerate manner."