A letter from Backwell Neighbourhood Policing Team
Dear Parent / Guardian
I am your local Police Community Support Officer Charlotte Thompson and I am part of the Backwell Neighbourhood Policing Team. Part of my role is ensuring children get to and from school safely.
I feel it necessary to write to Parents/Guardians of children who attend the school concerning problems with the parking of vehicles and the obstruction of pathways/driveways and junctions when dropping off and picking up children.
- Please park considerately – by not parking vehicles near junctions, on bends, pavements
or obstructing driveways. Doing so restricts the view and endangers other road users, both pedestrian and other vehicle users alike and constitutes an offence under The Road Traffic Act. Would you want your child to have to walk into a busy road due to a vehicle having blocked the pavement?
It is always busy at the beginning and end of the school day so everyone needs to be extra careful in order to reduce the risk of accidents.
- Remember paths are for pedestrians, not for vehicles – Please remember that if you park on the pavement, people find it difficult to pass especially those with pushchairs and young children.
- When crossing the road - Do so with care. Talk to your children about road safety and lead by example!
- Is your journey really necessary? Consider setting up a car pool scheme for dropping off and picking up your children.
- Alternative area to park – Do you need to drive to the school to drop off or pick up your children? Could you park at the Village Hall and use the cycle path?
I feel strongly about Road Safety Issues, especially around schools and as such both myself and my colleagues will undertake a period of education outside of the school to advise road users if they are deemed to be committing offences. This will be followed by a period of enforcement if the need arises.
Charlotte Thompson
PCSO
Backwell Neighbourhood Beat Team
Backwell Police Working In Partnership with