AREA councils responsible for their respective areas of Barnsley where parents’ problematic parking around schools has irked locals have warned that enforcement officers’ patrols will be increased due to an influx of complaints.
Children returning to schools last week resulted in a flurry of complaints about pick-up and drop-off times, which saw some people in Wombwell blocked from exiting their driveways.
The Chronicle understands the town’s six area councils - which cover the full borough - are instructing their respective enforcement officers to target illicit parking during peak times.
One of which is the South Area Council, which covers Wombwell, after Kings Oak Primary Learning Centre, on Bondfield Close, came under the spotlight last week.
‘Additional’ patrols have been carried out this week as a result.
Coun James Higginbottom, cabinet spokesperson for environment and highways - who also represents the Wombwell ward - said: “I entirely understand and share the concerns and frustrations of residents affected by inconsiderate parking around schools.
“My ward colleagues and I have been working with traffic officers and Kings Oak to address this problem and will continue to do so.
“Sadly, inconsiderate parking is an issue at most primary schools in Barnsley and by its very nature is difficult to enforce against.
“To their credit, the school leaders are fully aware of the issue and do their best to encourage parents to park safely and considerately.
“Through the South Area Council we have commissioned additional parking enforcement to focus on local primary schools where civil parking restrictions are in place.
“Where residents are being blocked in their drives or otherwise obstructed then this is a matter that South Yorkshire Police can enforce.
“Long-term our ambition is to increase the numbers of parents and children who walk and wheel as part of the school run, which would both reduce the numbers of cars parking outside schools and improve health and wellbeing.”
Every village in Barnsley is provided with parking enforcement where directed but, like many, the South Area Council employ Kingdom Enforcement for extra hours in Wombwell, Darfield and Hoyland.
According to the latest performance report, an additional 23 hours are provided, which resulted in 384 parking charge notices (PCNs) being handed out - 327 of which were in Wombwell alone.
Councillors will meet on September 20 to discuss the next set of results.
Coun Higginbottom added: “Illegal and nuisance parking, especially around our local schools, is a major issue that residents raise with local councillors on a regular basis.
“Barnsley Council is taking action against illegal parking.
“We have ample free parking in Wombwell that drivers can use and I would strongly encourage them to use it.
“I completely feel for the residents who are being affected by inconsiderate parking like this but there isn’t an easy solution.
“Sadly this is a similar picture at most primary schools in the borough where parents are ‘only stopping’ for ten minutes to pick their kids up before moving off, only to be replaced by the next car that’s also ‘only stopping’.
“The only enforcement measure that would fully address the issue would be to introduce double yellow lines but that runs the risk of leaving residents on there without any on-street parking all the time, when the main issue is twice a day during term-time.
“Where residents are being blocked in their drives by parked cars and drivers are not willing to engage, or worse become aggressive, then this would be a matter that could be enforced by South Yorkshire Police as an obstruction offence.
“Long-term the solution is to reduce the number of vehicles dropping children off at school by increasing numbers who choose to walk and cycle as part of the school run.
“Our public health and sports teams have been working with primary schools to encourage kids to want to walk and cycle more and put the ‘pester power’ on parents to change habits long-term.”
