ROAD safety outside Lindley schools is a step closer to being improved.

Parents and councillors called for action to reduce the risk of accidents posed to children by dangerous and inconsiderate parking on George Street.

But they are now celebrating as some parking restrictions near Lindley junior and infant schools have been imposed.

There is now a no waiting / no loading restriction from Mondays to Fridays between the hours of 8am and 9.30am and 2.30pm and 4pm.

This should remove the obstructive parking connected with local school traffic.

It will also help strengthen the enforcement of School Keep Clear making on George Street.

Road safety near the schools has been an ongoing concern for many years.

In December the matter came to a head when parents protested outside the schools, blocking vehicles from entering the street.

A survey undertaken by Kirklees Council’s Highway’s department showed that between the hours of 8am and 9am 615 children crossed it.

The protest resulted in a working group being formed, which produced options to be explored further for improved road safety.

Lindley councillor Cahal Burke said that he was pleased that actions had been taken to help ease the traffic.

He said this would also help residents on Whitteron Close.

They struggled with access in and out of the area due to parents parking there and dropping off children.

But Clr Burke added that there is still work to be done to ensure continued safety.

He said: “The Lindley school community has come together to try and encourage parents to park further away and walk to school.

“But sadly there are still a minority of parents who continue to get as close to the school as they possibly can, even though this has caused accidents in the past.

“This is a positive step but I will continue to work with Highways, schools, parents and residents to make sure that drivers are adhering to the restrictions and ongoing work is carried out to maintain and improve road safety.”

A further meeting for parents and residents is being held at Lindley Junior School on Thursday this week from 6pm.