Thousands in fines for ‘unsafe’ parking outside Glodwick Infant and Nursery School

Glodwick Infant and Nursery School headteacher Jane Brierley says she regularly receives abuse from drivers when they are challenged, many of whom are parking to use the shop opposite.

According to figures obtained by The Oldham Times, drivers have been fined more than £8,600 for illegal parking outside the Glodwick Road school since April 2017.

More than half of the fines were issued last year, with 138 fines issued at a value of more than £4,270.

Cars parked on a single yellow line and on the pavement near the school

Headteacher Jane Brierley said she wants more to be done to stop the illegal parking, which she says reduces visibility.

Ms Brierley said: “There is always a car that is illegally parked. They could probably multiply that figure of 138 by five.

“I wouldn’t say it’s got worse – it’s just exactly the same. They don’t take any notice.

“It’s on the pavement and they block the gateway to the school.

“It’s restricted parking – it’s single yellow.

“We have a really good relationship with the store, they’ve put bright yellow signs up asking people to use the car park provided, but they just ignore that.”

The headteacher said there had been near misses and even injuries outside the school.

Ms Brierley said: “It’s a definite safety issue – absolutely.

“They’re blocking access, it’s just a side street – not particularly wide.

Signs warn of parking restrictions and inform shop customers of the car park. Photo: Jane Brierley

“We’ve had a few children who have been injured, but not in the recent past.

“It can be quite challenging and scary to see the manoeuvres that are made, with pedestrians having to go into the road to get around the cars.

“It’s all through the day.”

Ms Brierley went on to say she wanted to see more done to stop the parking, as she doesn’t think the fines are working to stop the danger.

“I would like to see barriers or some kind of deterrent to make it so they can’t leave their vehicles there – that would really help,” she added.

A spokesperson for Oldham Council, said: “We have a dedicated person who leads on the road safety education at Oldham’s schools, including practical sessions with the pupils.

"Parents receive letters reminding them to set a good example to their children and promote good road safety behaviours.

"Glodwick Infant School also communicates road safety and parking conditions to parents to discourage parking on the double yellow lines.

“Glodwick Infant School is an incredibly large school with three classes in each year.

"There is also a nursery school and slightly up the road is Alexandra Park Junior School, and so there is a disproportionate level of school traffic compared with other areas.  

“In terms of the increased number of fines, it’s difficult to speculate why this is.

"Although, with more parents working from home since the pandemic, they are perhaps nipping out to do the school run during their working day rather than walking children to school, allowing older children to walk unaccompanied or parking in the car park and walking their children to the gates.

“In terms of physical measures to improve safety across the borough, we have a prioritisation process based on collision data. The number of requests of complaints we receive is also is taken into account.

“Due to concerns raised, the location outside Glodwick Infant School is being prioritised to improve physical measures and this is now under review.”