Well done for providing front page coverage in last week's Citizen concerning an accident waiting to happen near Clayton-le-Woods Primary School.

All too often, safety issues around schools are not given the priority they deserve.

However, I would like to take this opportunity to highlight another problem concerning the same school.

As a parent of children attending the school, I am heartened to find the majority of parents applying common sense with regard to parking.

But a mindless few that insist on parking adjacent to the yellow zigzags.

I know this does not break any law, but it is narrow-minded to take advantage of this when the safety of children is at stake.

As it happens, the drivers that mount the pavement are breaking the law.

Circumstances change from street to street and what may be acceptable for one school may not necessarily be acceptable to another. It is obvious to most parents at Back Lane School that the road outside is a hazard as it has to be crossed to reach the main car park.

Not only does this require children to pass between parked vehicles, but they also have to watch for them pulling away while concentrating on the passing traffic.

We are fortunate at present that a few previous incidents did not result in serious injury.

Further congestion is caused as traffic attempting to enter Back Lane is forced to queue on Sheep Hill Lane while the aforementioned parents are talking in the playground. My words may sound harsh but, when you consider that the headmaster, Mr Sloan, has advised in several newsletters to be more considerate when parking at or near the school, it is obvious that a few, choose to ignore the sound advice given or simply do not understand. Quite frightening either way.

Maybe the local councillors could look at this area when assessing the problem on Sheep Hill Lane.

In the meantime, may I suggest the mainly responsible parents play a part in ensuring that our children are not injured while entering or leaving school?

It is easy to turn a blind eye to careless parking but we are all responsible for our children's safety whatever school they attend - and a quiet word in someone's ear may prevent a lot of heartache.

Kenneth Livingston,

Cow Well Lane,

Whittle-le-Woods.