Parents Driving into School
Like many Newton News readers, I have been interested in reading the comments from residents in Newton Aycliffe expressing concern over parent’s driving their children into school and the inconsiderate parking when they get there. Needless to say when the schools were built car ownership was far less than today and children simply either walked to school or were transported by bus.
Those days are long gone and with the ever increasing use of the car the school ‘driving’ parent problem is here to stay. Ultimately irrespective of where one lives, the solution is for parents to take ownership of the problem by driving and parking safely in and around school but as we have read in the Newton News parents are simply choosing to not to do so. In Heighington we have the same problem.
School Governors, Parents, residents, PACT members and even the children themselves continue to express their concerns about speeding and parking issues around the school. I in turn have held meetings with the Police and Darlington Borough Council Highway Officers to discuss how to convince parents that they must act sensibly when driving their children into school.
The problem is not new. Ten years ago a group of Mothers met with me to investigate ways to help reduce the dangers to our children, caused by a few parents inconsiderate driving and thoughtless parking. Over several months we developed a Transport School Charter which clearly describes where parents should park, where not to park, the roads to use and a ‘One Way System’ to improve the flow of traffic allowing older children to be dropped off outside the school gates without parents having to park up. All parents are handed a copy of the Charter which includes a map of the area, before their child starts school.
This ensures that every parent knows what is expected from them when they drive their child into school. The system has proved so successful it has been used as Best practice by Darlington Borough Council.
And yet, despite all parents being presented with the Charter, there are a still a few who choose to ignore it.
Cars are often abandoned on corners, others left on grass which is churned up much to the annoyance of house owners and many park along Redworth Road making vehicles heading north out of the village drive on the wrong side of the road towards oncoming traffic on a brow of a hill. It seems that like school parents in Newton Aycliffe, many parents seem oblivious to the dangers they are causing to others including schoolchildren.
But with the patience of Barbara Watson who over several months has persevered in organising a ‘Walking Train’ from the middle of the village up into school every Friday, there is a glimmer of hope to reduce the number of cars that park close to the school.  We are all indebted to Barbara who stands out in all weathers to meet and greet the children before walking them into school. 30 children regularly walk the ‘Walk’ thanks to Barbara, and on the 15th November this number was increased to a staggering 90. So the ‘Walking Train’ is a practical solution that many may be aware of but few are prepared to organise one. It needs someone to take the lead and in our case it was Barbara but for this to be sustainable we need to take the next step which is for parents themselves to take over the reins from her. So in Heighington I am interested in looking at how we can move this forward. In the first instance, I would like to hear from parents about whether they would be prepared to volunteer to accompany children into school from the Bishop Auckland Bus stand. If there is sufficient interest I will arrange a Meeting to discuss the matter further. So if you would be prepared to help take over from Barbara to walk the ‘Walk’ with our school children contact me on 314622 or gerald.lee@darlingon.gov.uk
And finally, some information for those readers who are interested in 20mph speed limits:-
In 2005, following research ROSPA released the following information:- Hit by a car at 40 mph, 9 out of 10 pedestrians will be killed.  Hit by a car at 30 mph, about 5 out of 10 pedestrians will be killed.  Hit by a car at 20 mph, 1 out of 10 pedestrian will be killed.
Thought provoking…..
Councillor Gerald G. Lee
Darlington Borough Council