Police have issued a warning to parents who park inconsiderately outside Kesgrave High School that they will be issuing fines as officers take a “zero-tolerance” stance on anti-social parking.
Suffolk Constabulary’s police community support officer for Kesgrave and Rushmere St Andrew, Mike Sarbutts, issued a letter to all parents last week warning that some motorists were committing obstruction offences by parking in bus stops, parking on the combined pedestrian and cycle path, or in the keep clear area in front of the main gate.
Others have also been spotted driving on the footpath itself.
The letter said: “These drivers are causing an unacceptable risk to others.”
Pcso Mike Sarbutts added: “Parking outside the school is an issue that has been occasionally raised with police and we are working closely with the school and the town council to address this.
“Our focus is to ensure that parking doesn’t interfere with the safety of children, pedestrians or residents in the area.
“We want to encourage parents to introduce their children to a positive road safety message.
“Unfortunately there remain a number of drivers who persist in parking inconsiderately and enforcement action will be taken where vehicles are found to be at threat and risk of others.”
Police have now warned that extra patrols will take place in the area at key times – when parents are dropping off their children in the morning or picking them up from 3.30pm – as they take a zero-tolerance approach.
The letter added: “There will now be an increased police presence to deal with those that are committing these offences.
“Fixed penalty notices (£30 fine) may now be issued on a zero-tolerance basis if necessary.”
In the long term, officers are working alongside the school, Kesgrave Town Council, Suffolk Coastal District Council and highways teams at Suffolk County Council to monitor the situation and discuss measures to help reduce the problem.
Nigel Burgoyne, headteacher at Kesgrave High School, said: “There is an increasing pressure from cars outside school – which makes the safe movement onto the buses more difficult at the end of school day.
“This can be avoided by parents waiting until 3.40pm to safely and easily collect students on the school site.”
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