IPSWICH: For years irresponsible motorists have caused chaos outside one Ipswich primary school.

But today the pupils are taking action to ensure the safety of children and the school’s neighbours.

The problems outside Dale Hall Primary School, in Dale Hall Lane came to a head recently when one elderly neighbour reported being verbally abused when she asked a parent not to park on her driveway.

Headteacher Alison Beckett said when she told members of the school council about the incident they were “shocked”.

Parents often stop in the middle of the road to let their children out and cross away from the lollipop crossing, while other drivers park across neighbours’ driveways.

She said: “This has been an ongoing issue but recently it has got out of control.

“We are all concerned, not just for the safety of children crossing but also parents who stop in the middle of the road to drop their children off.

“It’s totally irresponsible.”

Members of the school council got together with the school’s two road safety officers Harley Kirby and Helen Proctor, both 11, to come up with some ideas of how to tackle the issue.

After observing the parking problems for themselves, ten-year-old Emelia Cobbold said: “We decided to send letters out to the neighbours and we invited them to come to our meeting to discuss what’s going on outside.”

Eight-year-old Laura Elliot added: “We thought we would design leaflets to put out on cars parked badly too.”

In a letter to parents the council said: “If this continues your child or children could end up getting hurt or injured.”

Mrs Beckett said the school will continue to monitor the problem and hope parents will start to take note and think before they park.

n What do you think? Are you a parent or neighbour affected by the parking issues? Write to Your Letters, Ipswich Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or you can send an e-mail to starletters @archant.co.uk