IT’S an issue that has caused a lot of controversy and discussion – but the councillor responsible for transport at Hampshire County Council this week refused to talk to The Gazette about the problem of parking outside Basingstoke schools.

The Gazette has run a series of articles, focusing on Costello Technology College, in Crossborough Hill, Chalk Ridge Primary School, in Sullivan Road, and Chiltern Primary School, in Chiltern Way, where parents park on double yellow lines when collecting their children, which causes problems for those pupils trying to cross the road.

At Costello, headteacher Julia Mortimore has been calling for a crossing to be installed on London Road – a plea that was given more impetus following the death of teenage pupil Louise Eames last year. However, a year after the tragic accident, and nothing has happened.

We approached the council and asked to speak to Councillor Mel Kendal, executive member for environment and transport, about the parking problems and crossing issue, but he refused to talk to us.

A year ago, he was quoted in The Gazette saying the council would review the findings of a police investigation into the fatal accident, and “advise whether any proposals coming forward for this existing project could include specific measures to prevent a recurrence of this incident.” But so far, the school has not heard about any measures.

The council told The Gazette there is a design for crossing points along London Road, but gave no indication of how long it will be before this is implemented, or why it has taken so long.

The council’s communications team sent the following information about school parking, and said Cllr Kendal, who in 2010-11 earned £33,647 for being a councillor, had “nothing further to add” and would not answer any questions.

It said the county delegates parking enforcement to the borough council. However, both work with schools to provide restrictions.

It said the council will support schools with initiatives such as the ‘walking bus’ and to deliver road safety education, pedestrian training for children aged six and seven and bicycle training. The council also offers schools leaflets for parents aimed at influencing behaviour regarding parking around schools.