Home Local News Schools Parking and Passenger Chaos – Task Force Needed Now

Schools Parking and Passenger Chaos – Task Force Needed Now

0
Red Rose Lancashire

With children set to return to schools right across Lancashire in September. All schools are reviewing their risk assessments as they consider the guidance around COVID -19. Preparation is important not only to reduce the risks but to give confidence to their parents and guardians that their children will be safe.

With bus services and school coaches caught up in the Conservative Chaotic Covid Guidance many parents will use their own cars to get their children school.

In West Lancashire transport between Skelmersdale and schools in Ormskirk, the Arriva, 385/375 Wigan to Southport service was sufficient. This public service will no longer be a viable option for the numbers of children who make the journey as Arriva have a strict limitation on the number of passengers allowed on a bus at any one time. Restricting the number of pupils on the bus.

Parents have been advised that children will have a specific “window” to arrive at school to maintain safety. It will also cause concern to many parents who cannot afford a car that their child may be left standing at the bus stop waiting for a bus with sufficient seats. This journey will be reflected right across Lancashire.

Prior to the Covid crisis there was growing conflict around inappropriate parking by parents with each other, local communities and the schools, especially at arriving and going home times.

Cllr John Fillis, Deputy Leader, Lancashire Labour Group, said “Lancashire’s Conservative Administration are failing to consult with local communities and councillor’s regarding home to school travel arrangements.”

“Our schools have and will continue to do a fantastic job in supporting the education of children as safely as possible. But with the changing requirements from home to school travel we will see, staggered starts times, reduction in regular bus services availability as well as some dedicated services failing to operate. All these changes will see the number of children arriving by private car increase dramatically.”

“We already had conflicts across Lancashire between parents inconsiderate parking around schools and local communities before the COVID crisis. Schools cannot deal with this directly it’s the responsibility of the county council to step up and step in to bring people together. We know there has been a problem and there will be a problem. Lancashire has published guidance and introduced fines but the problems have persisted as there is no one on the ground to organise practical steps or issue the fines.”

“We would be happy to work with the current administration to establish a task force as part of the Covid Community Hub structure to support each school, their local community and councillor’s to prevent conflict through bespoke strategies that would encourage safe traffic flows around schools. Many schools and local residents are already working together what we need is a council prepared to look to the future and not just respond to problems but prevent them from happening. We have seen a tremendous community spirit grow across Lancashire lets enhance it and build a better future.”

“We have written to the Cabinet Member Cllr Williamson to offer our support in order to reduce the amount of chaos and conflict that may occur to get children in Lancashire back to school safely.”

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here