'Dangerous' illegal parking by parents picking up pupils prompts CCTV pledge

The Dispatch recently witnessed scores of cars parked illegally by parents on pavements outside two schools, reports James Cracknell

Vehicles illegally parked along Hunters Way — Cars parked on double-yellow lines in Hunters Way forced a bus to wait two minutes

CCTV will be installed outside two Enfield schools to help combat the “parking behaviour” of parents – amid local concerns over illegally-parked cars creating a “dangerous” environment for children.

The pledge from enforcement firm Parking Control Management (PCM) comes after a recent visit by the Dispatch to Hunters Way, the road which runs between One Degree Academy and Wren Academy – newly-built primary and secondary schools situated on land previously occupied by the former Chase Farm Hospital buildings.

As parents arrived in their cars for the school pick-up last Friday (2^nd) – including many in SUVs – it became clear that illegal parking was widespread and was not being enforced. Over a period of just half-an-hour, scores of vehicles driven by parents parked on double-yellow lines and pavement kerbs to collect their children.

At any one time, up to 30 vehicles were parked illegally along a single stretch of Hunters Way.

It meant pupils having to squeeze between cars and along pavements where little room had been left for them to safely pass – or get a clear sight of incoming traffic before crossing the road.

There was no sign of any kind of enforcement taking place.

One concerned resident, who did not want to be named, said: “It is dangerous. Because you have got people driving from both sides, kids crossing the road, it is chaos. It is manic and no-one is policing it. It is quite a narrow stretch of road for two schools.”

Parents also regularly park in or otherwise obstruct designated spaces for residents on the nearby housing estate – sometimes leading to verbal and even physical confrontations.

The problem seems to have arisen because neither school has a designated drop-off area for children arriving by car. But two bus routes also pass along Hunters Way, and while the Dispatch was in the area one double-decker bus was forced to wait for two minutes as the road had become impassable with cars parked along both kerbs, delaying its arrival at the hospital.

Because the roads in question have not yet been ‘adopted’ by Enfield Council, enforcement remains the responsibility of property firm Trinity Estates, which in turn uses a contractor, PCM.

Responding to the issues raised about widespread unlawful parking outside the two schools, a spokesperson for PCM said: “We recognise concerns regarding parking behaviour around the schools during busy drop-off and pick-up periods.

“Patrol officers have been monitoring and enforcing the parking controls on Hunters Way for some time, but school-run parking can be particularly challenging to manage on foot due to the volume of vehicles arriving and leaving over a short period.

“To address this, CCTV is being installed next week and will support more consistent enforcement throughout the day, including during peak drop-off and pick-up periods. Drivers parking in breach of the restrictions will receive a parking charge notice.

“We are also supporting the schools in reminding parents and visitors of the restrictions before the cameras become operational and are aware that One Degree Academy regularly communicates with parents on the safe use of the road. Our aim is to help ensure safe and unobstructed access for everyone using the area.”

Local residents who spoke to the Dispatch, however, have questioned PCM’s commitment to enforcing the law. One said: “This is not simply a parking dispute. It is a daily safety issue outside two schools, involving unsafe driving, obstructive parking, aggressive behaviour and a complete failure of accountability between the organisations involved.”

The Dispatch did also approach both schools for comment, as well as the council, but received no response.

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