March 25, 2022 6.00 am

‘Only a matter of time’ before accident outside Scunthorpe school

Cars frequently park on zigzag road markings
Oasis Academy Henderson Avenue has seen a problem with people parking illegally outside its Spencer Avenue entrance Pictures submitted Approved for use by all partners
By Local Democracy Reporter

A concerned parent has warned that it’s only a matter of time before a child is hurt outside a Scunthorpe school.

Cars frequently park on zigzag road markings during ‘chaotic’ morning school runs at Oasis Academy Henderson Avenue. A sign opposite the school clearly prohibits parking between 8.30am and 4.30am, Monday to Friday.

The school says that it regularly reminds parents to park legally outside its entrances. However, the parent, who asked not to be named, has snapped pictures of dozens of vehicles violating the highway code near the Spencer Avenue entrance by parking right over the lines.

“It’s only a matter of time before a kid gets knocked down. There have been at least four near misses that I know of,” he said.

“When people get challenged by teachers, they say they will only be five minutes, as if that makes it OK. They don’t seem to care.

“It’s chaotic in a morning with so many people parked right outside school. Kids get excited and want to run to their friends, but their parents scream to stop because you can’t see what is coming with all the parked cars.

“There have been times when I’ve been on the pavement on my bike and cars have forced me back because they want to park on there. It’s outrageous.”

He says that 8.35am to 8.50am is the peak time for problem parking, and that some cars pull so far on the pavement that they obstruct it.

“I’m not sure why people are so desperate to park right outside the gates. There is plenty of space a few yards down without any zigzags. Just walk the extra 30 yards!” He said.

Tracey Norriss, Executive Principal at Oasis Academy Henderson Avenue has called for parents to park responsibly outside of the school.

“Sadly this is an ongoing problem which the academy takes pains to address every time a resident raises it. We regularly remind parents about parking legally and responsibly and enlist the support of PCSOs and parking wardens to help us with this,” she said.

“Hopefully, this press coverage will help to reinforce the message about safe and considerate parking outside all local schools.”