A Dundee mother has claimed inconsiderate drivers are putting children’s lives at risk at a city primary school.
Gillian Cunningham says pupils at Craigowl Primary School are being forced to weave in and out between double-parked cars because some school run parents refuse to heed the message of the Don’t Park Here campaign.
Gillian has two boys at the school.
“My mother picked up the boys from school today and said it was terrible they were parked on the pavement and everywhere,” she said.
“I have often said myself that I feel like going up and chapping on their windows, but she did it. She went up to one of the parked cars to speak to the driver and got a mouthful of abuse.
“This is about our children and somebody is going to get killed. It’s an ongoing problem and it makes my blood boil and has done since day one.”
Gillian said the problem is particularly severe at the St Columba Gardens entrance, though she believes most of the campaign’s efforts have been concentrated at the gates in Laird Street.
“It is a small street and it has become a total nightmare, with the kids all coming out in between the cars.”
She said all the cones put out to reinforce the zig-zag no parking lines at the school gates were placed at the Laird Street entrance.
Councillor Kevin Keenan said he had seen the problem first hand and has raised the issue with council officers.
“I drove past there just after 3 o’clock yesterday while the school was coming out and it was almost impossible to get past,” he said. “Drop-off and pick-up points are a real issue and I also think the barrier at that gate should be wider to prevent children being able to run into the road.
“I have spoken to the relevant officers at the council and they are looking at the problem.”
A Dundee City Council spokesman said cones had been placed at the St Columba Gardens entrance but had gone missing and are being replaced.
“The Don’t Park Here campaign runs at all primary schools in the city and asks school run motorists to keep their cars away from school gates so that they do not cause a danger to children,” he said.
The campaign also encourages drivers to look at other options for taking their children to school.