PERSISTENT traffic problems near a dale school have reignited calls to clampdown on ignorant motorists.
Parking near Staindrop Primary School has been a source of angst for the past couple of years with several near misses along Swan Wynd at drop off and pick up times.
Motorists cutting across the footpath on the school approach and drivers in a rush during commutes have triggered pleas for parents to avoid Swan Wynd altogether.
But Staindrop Parish Council heard how the problems had not gone away.
And members were told how one motorist had hurled abuse when confronted about their parking.
Cllr Dawn Devonport spoke to police about the parking impasse but was told there was little they could do.
Clerk Tom Bolton said: “The police advised that the housing association could put up signs about parking but there are signs already up which say resident’s parking only.”
Headteacher Steve Whelerton has called for a small minority of parents to be more mindful of where they leave their cars over fears a child could get knocked down.
And Cllr Tony Smith said the school was looking to crack down on the problem.
He added: “It’s like anything else – parents will park anywhere and you cannot put bollard up as they would totally ignore them.”
Acting chairman Cllr Darrel Chapman said it was an age old problem.
“I don’t know what the answer is to it,” he added.
“That junction is like a Rubik’s cube – if one thing moves nothing else does. If you were going to cause gridlock you’d design something like this.”
Complaints have also trickled in to the school about parents parking in Broumley Court and PCSOs have tried to tackle traffic problems on Winston Road in the past.
Chief Constable Mike Barton has said there are limits to what the police can be exoected to do when it came to tackling poor parking in dale villages.
Cllr Chapman said he sympathised with his view.
But, he added: “I understand Mike Barton and I know the police are stretched but coming out once would make a big difference.
“Let them take the abuse and see how bad it is.”
