School parking problems prompt residents' response (From Basingstoke Gazette)

School parking problems prompt residents' response

5:20pm Friday 23rd January 2009 in

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ANNOYED neighbours say drivers on the school run in their part of Basingstoke are causing serious problems.

Residents in Lapin Lane and Wood Close, Hatch Warren, have been signing a petition calling for parking restrictions because of snarl-ups near St Mark’s Primary School.

Among the possible solutions suggested by residents are yellow lines and short time-limited restrictions.

Lapin Lane resident Laura Johns, 32, said she and her husband often had difficulties getting out of their driveway at the beginning and end of the school day.

Mrs Johns, a nanny, added: “I wish people would be a bit more considerate about people’s driveways.”

Project manager Ian Moir, 46, said he once returned to his Wood Close home and discovered an empty car in his driveway.

He added: “It’s frustrating when they’ve parked on both sides of the road and you try to get out.”

Councillor Dan Putty, who represents Hatch Warren at Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council, said parents picking up children should use parking spaces at Hatch Warren Community Centre.

“Some of the people are really fed-up,” he said.

Jennifer Carroll, of Dummer, who parked in Lapin Lane to collect her grandson, told The Gazette she did not park at the community centre because there was no lollipop lady to guide children across Woodbury Road to the school.

“Parking up this way you don’t have to worry as much,” she said.

She said she sometimes found it difficult to find a space at the community centre.

Andrew Williams, chairman of the school governors, said the school asked parents to park considerately and encouraged cycling or walking to school.

“The school has written to parents to encourage them term after term,” he said.

The school has been given the go ahead to employ a lollipop person, but has so far received no volunteers, he added.

Tim Boschi, the borough council’s head of neighbourhood development, said parking restrictions were one solution but added: “However, this is likely to displace vehicles into other roads and the council would wish to consider the implications of this in conjunction with ward councillors and residents.”