DEVON and Cornwall Police, in partnership with St Catherine’s Church of England Primary School, Launceston and other partner agencies engaged with parents and guardians of pupils at the school before the end of term in an attempt to help improve the safety of children attending the school and local residents, writes David Sillifant and Liam Slade.

Devon and Cornwall Police said: “We have been made aware of parking issues and congestion on Moorland Road, Launceston during peak times, namely around the times of dropping off and collecting children from school.

“Police have worked closely with St Catherine’s to identify these issues and to help resolve the issues raised. It was identified there was an opportunity to work with the school and partner agencies including local council representatives, Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service and Cornwall Council civil enforcement.”

On the morning and afternoon of Thursday, July 19, police officers and staff alongside students of St Catherines, civil enforcement officers and a tri-service safety officer from the Cornwall Fire Service, Adam Chapman, engaged with parents and guardians of students at St Catherine’s to highlight the potential dangers of vehicles parking on double yellow lines and pavements in the vicinity of the school.

Officers and students spoke with parents and guardians and discussed possible resolutions to improve the safety of students. The purpose of the day was to educate drivers surrounding the potential hazards posed by parked vehicles and no penalty notices were issued.

The police spokesman said: “The feedback received by the public was very positive and a number of options were identified. A survey of these results was collated, which will now be reviewed. Devon and Cornwall Police will continue to work with St Catherine’s School and the public to try and improve safety for students and the public.”

St Catherine’s headteacher, Louise Hussey, told the Post: “The morning and evening drop-offs have become very chaotic, obviously it’s a narrow road and a high volume of traffic and that causes a lot of concerns around the safety of our children.

“So when PC Gary Langan approached us about a new project, which would focus on solutions and the issues of parking, we were more than happy to take part.

“One of the things they asked us to think about was training up some of our pupils to be junior road safety officers. The children who will be in Year 6 in September have volunteered to do this and they have supported the police and parents today in answering questions about what they’d like to see happen at the school to solve these problems.

“The police have come up with a number of potential solutions which they’re now going to explore following today’s discussions with parents.”

Town councillors and other representatives have also got involved and Mrs Hussey says there have been ideas banded around.

She said: “The police had a meeting with a number of councillors this morning at the police station and that was to assess things such as double yellow lines or changing the markings and the potential to set up parent pledges and use of the police parking area.

“The local PCSO (Mark Calvin) is going to come in each year and talk to parents of the new intakes to talk about that type of pledge for driving and parking safety at the school with the aim to change the children’s school drop-offs.

“For us it’s all about ensuring a safe experience on a daily basis for our children!”

The Post spoke to parents and guardians outside of the school about what they’d like to see happen.

Heather said: “The parking issue results in walking but I think the one way system is a very good idea!”

Laura Hider said: “We walk to school but when driving, parking is the issue. I’d like to see it become one-way, other than that there isn’t much else you can do apart from have more parking.”

Sandra Lang says that even crossing the road is ‘hard’.

She said: “Because the cars are fighting for a parking place, crossing the road is hard. A drop-off point would create a lot less problems for everyone.

“It’s an ongoing thing and we’re not allowed to park in the police car park anymore but the whole system is rubbish. Cars park on the double yellows.”

Kerri added: “People seem to park wherever they want which obstructs other road users. We need more parking attendants or a one-way system — some people can’t walk. There should be double yellow lines right the way down because the bus can’t get through.

“It’s also a struggle for local residents with the dropping off and parking at the same time!”

Mrs Fowler, who is a teaching assistant at the school, said: “It’s really bad in the circle bit and there’s no turning because people stop. It’s often at a standstill and because of the parking on the double yellows, no-one can get past.

“I’d like a one-way system, but that could make other places busy.”

Cameron Pearson is one of the junior road safety officers at the school.

He said: “When people turn around from here its all blocked. I’ve been speaking to them asking if they want to do a one-way system — some are interested.”