PLANS to give powers to teachers and parents to issue fines to inconsiderate parents blocking school roads have been widely welcomed.

Thurrock Council announced a pilot scheme will soon be launched at Tilbury Pioneer Academy and training given to members of staff. Initially one parent volunteer will take on the role and, if successful, the idea will be rolled out to others in the borough.

However, the scheme has been criticised by the National Union of Teachers, which says teachers are already overworked.

The plans were unveiled at last week’s full council meeting, with the council saying increasing budget cuts meant decreasing resources to enforce parking laws outside its schools .

Any notices issued will be the same as other parking tickets in the borough – a £70 fine , reduced to £35, if paid within 14 days .

Taking to the Gazette website, thurrockgazette.co.uk , spookyboy said: “Good idea. Some parents take liberties when parking to drop off and collect their children.”

Firemane said: “All schools should do this. Trying to get to work when you’ve got cars stopping in the middle of the road to let kids out is hard.”

Jerry Glazier, national executive member of the National Union of Teachers in Essex, said he sympathised with the council’s financial position, bu t was concerned.

He said: “The role of a teacher is to teach. Teachers ar e all over-worked and this would be just another burden on them.

“There is also a real possibility for conflict to emerge, if the school is seen to issue fines. It’ s far better that the school instead encourages parents to improve their parking behaviour and ways to not put children at risk.”

Council leader John Kent said: “I agree with everything Mr Glazier says, which is why we are carrying out a pilot scheme.Iknow parking outside schools is an issue in man y places across the country and this is simply Thurrock Council coming up with a potential solution. I hope it becomes a success .”

Tory group leader Ro b Gledhill said: “I look forward to seeing how well it works.”

 

What else you’ve said online

Daniel Argent: “They should also do it for people who park across the drive - ways of nearby houses."

Darren Phillips: “It’s right, the safety of children comes first, not the parking of Range Rover and such like because the parents are too lazy to walk a hundred yards!”

Zia Day: “How come they painted double yellow lines near the school in Rectory Road (Little Thurrock Primary School), Grays then? Causes nothing but mor e congestion and people still park on them.”

Richard Suttling: “How about just teach? Will they b e organising housing issues or council tax problems next? Just another Thurrock Council cop out.”

Alec Collins: “Schools should give parking to parents who are picking up.”