Authorities looking to tackle on-street parking around Grantham schools in Sandon Road at pick-up and drop-off times

Parking issues on a Grantham road at school pick-up and drop-off times are being investigated, with authorities keen to examine the problem.

A joint effort by local authorities is looking to tackle the issue of on-street parking in Sandon Road during peak hours for schools.

South Kesteven District Council, Lincolnshire County Council and the Lincolnshire Road Safety Partnership have all been made aware of the potential safety issues that parking can create for pedestrians and other road users, especially for children coming in and out of school.

Kesteven and Grantham Girls’ School and Little Gonerby Primary Academy are either end of Sandon Road.

Meanwhile, St Mary’s Catholic Voluntary Academy and Sandon School are in Sandon Close, a junction midway, and also an area prone to becoming snarled up with vehicles at peak school times.

Ward district councillor Charmaine Morgan (Ind) has consulted with residents in the area, and said she has learned of incidents where ambulances and buses have been unable to reach a sheltered housing scheme in Sandon Close because of parked vehicles.

She said: “There is mounting evidence that at peak times Sandon Road and also Sandon Close are being blocked by vehicles parked, despite existing traffic regulations or yellow lines being in place.

“This is not only slowing buses and emergency vehicles it is also causing a hazard to pedestrians, especially children in the area.

“In discussion with Sandon Close residents, we learned Sandon Close buses and ambulances have been unable to reach the sheltered housing scheme with parents from local schools parking there.

“In a recent emergency an ambulance had to park on Sandon Road with the ambulance crew having to assist the patient all the way down Sandon Close. This caused considerable delay and distress to the patient concerned.”

Coun Morgan approached LCC and the road safety partnership, asking for an increase in warden patrols in the area. She also plans to approach schools to obtain their support in tackling the issue.

She also suggested free short-term parking in nearby Welham Street Car Park, to “encourage parents to park safely whilst waiting for their children”.

“It is always going to be difficult to tackle parking near schools but the safety of our children and wider community must come first,” Coun Morgan continued.

“The issue is mainly at school drop off or pick up time when parents come early and have parked for as long as 30 minutes, despite the yellow lines and relatively close proximity of public car parks.

“There are issues elsewhere too, for example near Croft Drive. I will discuss these with the road safety partnership as well. But, we cannot have main routes such as Sandon Road blocked.

“This matter needs resolving before someone is seriously injured, is killed, or dies due to the delay caused.”

The leader of SKDC, Councillor Richard Cleaver, said: “We take all issues of children’s safety very seriously and are making sure that all the relevant authorities are working together to minimise any risk to children on Sandon Road.

“A statutory public consultation on proposed new parking charges will be launched later this year.”

Steve Batchelor, senior manager at the Lincolnshire Road Safety Partnership, confirmed that he and LCC Highways had recently been made aware of concerns regarding parking and safety on Sandon Road.

He said: “A site meeting is being arranged so that the issues can be investigated. Consideration will be given to potential actions prior to the start of the new school term.”

An LCC spokesperson added: “We have patrolled in March, May and July at school drop-off and pick-up times and are visiting the area as and when resources allow.

“Any nuisance parking reports are best raised via our reporting tool accessible via our website: www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/xfp/form/351. These reports are received directly by the parking enforcement team.

“As with all local traffic-related matters, it is advisable for anyone with suggestions or issues to bring those directly to the attention of the local county councillor who is best-placed to escalate reports as needed for possible assessment and review where possible.”