Blackpool parents who defy school gate parking rules could face more on-the-spot fines in future

Council chiefs are exploring extending the use of ‘red lines’ outside schools after the move proved a success at Armfield Academy in South Shore.

Drivers are not allowed to stop or park on a red line at any time, and the restriction is in place round-the-clock 365 days a year.

The move is being considered as part of a £79,000 review of road safety at all 33 primary schools in Blackpool.

Experts from Essency Consulting have been appointed to visit each school site to monitor traffic activity and parking during busy drop-off and pick-up times.

Coun Neal Brookes, cabinet member for enforcement, public safety, highways and transport, said: “The safety of Blackpool’s schoolchildren is of great importance to us.”

A town hall report says the council is regularly contacted by schools due to concerns over road safety issues, particularly around the school gates.

What are the main issues?

Parking on current restrictions outside a school, ignoring the safety implications of doing so.

Parking in and around the school and adjacent streets can be inconsiderate,problematic and cause problems directly outside the school

Drivers’ behaviour and the conduct of some drivers can conflict with the on-site teaching staff and endanger children.

How could safety be improved?

New zebra crossings have recently been installed at Montgomery, Unity and Armfield Academies, with the latter including the installation of a red line, which is mainly seen in places like London where to stop can result in an immediate fine.

Highways chiefs say there “might be the potential for the red line to be installed at all sites”.

Traffic wardens can issue on-the-spot fines and can also issue tickets using photographic evidence.

The review is part of the implementation of the Blackpool Community Safety Plan 2022-2025 in which road safety is a key priority.

Discussions are already being held with some headteachers with all reviews due to be completed within six months, after which each school will receive a report setting out potential safety improvements.

Any proposals highlighted by the review would need to be collectively agreed and funding sourced and put in place before a programme can be implemented to make the required changes.

What is the response to the review?

Coun Brookes added: “We understand that this isn’t a one size approach. Our initiative will assess each school’s individual needs and offer a range of potential improvements that are specific to each one.

“Working together with local primary schools, we are looking to find solutions that will improve road safety and help keep Blackpool’s schoolchildren safe.”

John Topping, community relations and estates lead at Fylde Coast Academy Trust, said: “I am very pleased that Blackpool Council is targeting funds to a road safety research project that will certainly assist us in supporting all local primary age children and their parents/carers as they journey to and from school.

“The Fylde Coast Academy Trust looks forward to the outcomes and recommendations for road safety improvement outside our schools over the next six months.”

This project will also tie in with the work by the council’s leisure services and Lancashire Fire and Rescue services, promoting active travel and road safety education and training to schools.

Involvement of young people

Action comes nearly a year after youngsters quizzed council chiefs about what was being done to improve road safety in Blackpool.

Members of the Blackpool Boys and Girls Club, who meet at Mereside, created an artwork of children's figures to depict each casualty after figures revealed the extent of the danger.

They also held a meeting with John Blackledge, director of community and environmental services at Blackpool Council, where they called for dangerous parking near schools to be addressed, among other issues.

The youngsters also used the meeting to ask for more speed cameras in areas used by children, more speed awareness signs and use of crossing patrols at schools.

Other issues raised were dangerous riding of electric scooters and the need to ensure children could hear when electric cars were approaching.

Dave Blacker, a youth worker at the club, said: “We’re absolutely delighted the young people’s views have been taken on board by the council.

"What John Blackledge achieved by coming and listening was to get the young people’s perspective.

"When you are three foot high, the world looks scary and it’s a different story when it’s told by young people.

"One of their concerns was the need for a crossing patrol person outside Mereside School because cars were coming off the M55 and not adjusting their speed,”

Analysis reveals the dangers

The Boys and Girls Club was prompted to consider the issue after Department for Transport figures revealed 63 children were hit by a car in Blackpool between 2017 and 2020, with 16 of those being seriously injured.

Sixteen children were involved in an accident during school drop-off and pick-up times, 13 of the casualties were aged between four and 11, and 11 of the incidents happened in a 20mph zone according to the data collected by Churchill Insurance.

Nationally, primary school aged pupils made up 19 per cent of all adult and child pedestrian casualties recorded by the DfT in 2017-20, despite representing 10 per cent of the population.

According to the analysis of more than 600,000 accidents by Churchill, 10,100 primary aged children were hit by vehicles in the UK between 2017 and 2020, around seven a day. More than 2,900 accidents have happened during school pick-up and drop off times.