Locals blast at drivers over zig-zag drop-offs
ZIG-ZAG bandits are causing havoc at a Coatbridge primary school.
Our pictures show parents double parking and squeezing their vehicles along Portland Street – right outside the nursery entrance.
Despite multiple efforts from education bosses to persuade parents to act responsibly, the issue continues.
And locals say the problem is made worse by the fact there is a college next door and Coatbridge High School across the road.
One local said: “I have been on to the police and New College Lanarkshire, which is next door, about the parking and told them it’s only a matter of time before there is a fatality because of irresponsible parking and the attitude of the parents dropping the children off and picking them up.
“The police say there are other issues to deal with. The college says it has told students and staff to park responsibly.
“The truth of the matter is, there will be a child killed before something is done.”
Head teacher Jacqueline Hagerty said the school has run safe parking campaigns but so far nothing has worked.
Mrs Hagerty said: “Having both primary and nursery children within the premises, there can be high volumes of traffic around the school at certain times of the day. We actively promote road safety to our pupils through our Junior Road Safety Officers and have delivered initiatives such as Walk to School Week and the use of park and stride or other forms of transport to alleviate this congestion.”
The Evening Times has caught parents in the act at schools across Glasgow.
But we were contacted by frustrated residents who say the problem is just as bad in other areas, including several schools across Coatbridge.
Just last week, the joint Bargeddie and St Kevin’s primary campus had police officers on patrol at 3pm to manage irresponsible drivers.
Mrs Hagerty added: “Dangerous and inconsiderate parking around the perimeters of St Patrick’s increases the chances of an accident.
“If parents or carers must use a car to drop off or collect their child, I would ask that they park legally and responsibly, thinking of others.
“I welcome the support of the Evening Times in highlighting this ongoing problem.”