THURROCK Council said the problem with dangerous parking outside schools is on the rise.

The council’s road safety officers have visited the borough’s schools in an affort to educate parents who are parking illegally on keep clear markings, by giving them leaflets and advice about the dangers.

Cllr Angie Gaywood, cabinet member for public protection, said: “We are doing everything we can to encourage parents who park irresponsibly outside schools to think about their behaviour and the example they are giving to children.

“As a parent with children at schools in Thurrock I understand the pressures for working parents to get their children to school on time, however that is no excuse for parking irresponsibly.

“The council will not tolerate this kind of thoughtlessness which is putting so many of our children at risk, especially when there are easy alternatives.

“Walking is by far the healthiest and most sustainable form of transport, but if parents feel it is essential to use their car, they need to park a short distance from the school and walk the rest of the way.

“To help alleviate this problem, residents may be aware we will be trialling a CCTV car in the spring, but we will continue to use a number of tactics to ensure our streets can be safer for all our children.”