Blackrod Primary School: Concerns over parking

Fellow parents and residents alike have criticised drivers for parking on zigzag lines near a crossing, which is illegal, for parking on double yellow lines, and for pedestrians being made to walk in the road to avoid cars parked on the pavement.

And recently parking wardens have visited the area.

Stephanie Tharme, a mother at the school, said: “It does get really busy. It can get quite dangerous sometimes, especially when it’s busy.

A van and trailer parked on a bus stop on Manchester Road, near Blackrod Primary School (Image: Newsquest)

“Normally there’s a lollipop lady at the crossing, but I haven’t seen her for a little while.

“My main concern is at the top of Station Road there should be a lollipop lady.

Read more: Call for action on school parking as fears grow a child will be hurt

“I’ve got a little one at nursery, will have to cross over and walk all the way down to the nursery. Walking down the road with three kids can be quite scary.”

A resident of Manchester Road who lives near the school, who didn’t want to be named, said: “I leave at 8.25am in the morning to get past all the traffic. It’s horrendous.

Pavement space on the road is limited due to cars pavement parking, to the point where residents have seen parents 'walking with prams in the road' (Image: Newsquest)

“It’s just terrible. All the way up it’s a bus route as well, you’ve got the bus trying to get through.

“At the crossing there are cars parked all the way up, on the lines as well.

“Parking on that side you don’t have walking space. I’ve seen parents walking with prams in the road before.”

Read more: School's plea to parents about parking when picking up kids after complaints

Another mother who has a child at the school said: “I sometimes park here but you’re not allowed there ( double yellow lines and zigzag lines).

Buses use the route as well and have to get between cars parked on both sides of the road (Image: Newsquest)

“It’s very crazy, I’ve got a car but I have to walk.

“It would be better to have a car park, sometimes it’s raining and I have two kids.”

A spokesperson for Bolton Council said: “We know that parking outside schools is an issue in many parts of the borough.

One mother at the school said the situation 'can get quite dangerous sometimes, especially when it’s busy' (Image: Newsquest)

“Our parking services team visit schools and enforce as frequently as possible, including two penalty charge notices issued at Blackrod Primary School last week.

“The council fully understands the concerns raised by residents and we work with schools, Greater Manchester Police and other partners to address the problem.

“Ultimately however, the responsibility lies with drivers and we remind everyone that parking on zigzag lines is dangerous and illegal.

“We would also encourage families wherever possible to consider walking to school or using public transport as an alternative to driving.”