Parents have been handed penalty fines after being targeted in a parking blitz at Huddersfield schools.
And one of the councillors behind the drive in the Lindley area admitted: “We need to take tough action.”
Clr Cahal Burke was joined by police, Kirklees Council enforcement officers and school staff and pupils in the crackdown.
They have been on duty outside schools in Lindley, Reinwood and Outlane in a bid to curb problems caused by inconsiderate drivers.
The recent heavy rain has made things far worse, with many parents apparently insisting on driving right up to the school gates to drop off their children.
Clr Burke said: “We have zig-zag markings and yellow lines outside our schools but some, a minority, choose to ignore them. Most of them are willing to listen to the advice we are handing out but others do take offence.
“We had one driver who pulled her car up on to the pavement and on to double yellow lines and then wondered why she was in the wrong.
“The police are supporting us and they and the enforcement officers have handed out a number of tickets to drivers in both Lindley and outside Moorlands School.
“This is not a problem just associated with schools in this area, as it happens all over Huddersfield, but we decided to raise awareness.
“The schools are doing a good job with letters to parents, assemblies and parents’ evenings but we decided it was time for a blitz.”
Children joined the latest offensive yesterday morning and afternoon outside Moorlands School.
They and police officers chatted with parents who arrived at the school in cars and suggested the pupils try walking.
Clr Burke added: “I accept that in some cases families have to drive their children to school because it is too far.
“But the schools are trying to encourage pupils to walk, with projects such as Walking Buses, and many have changed.
“What is still of concern is that it’s a wet morning, or a parent is running late, and they still insist on parking as close as possible to the gates.”
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