Over the past 20 years the percentage of children travelling to school by car has doubled:
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41% of primary and 24% of secondary age children are now driven to school
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Most of these journeys are less than 2 miles.
Between 8am and 9am during term time 12% of car trips by residents of urban areas were generated by the school run (figures from 2002).
Parking outside of schools has become a major problem, creating obstruction to all road users and safety concerns particularly for pupils crossing roads outside and close to schools.
The roads near schools are places where a number of different priorities collide. The over-riding priority for Gateshead Council is the safety of children on foot.
Picking up and dropping off children
There are no special arrangements allowing parents to set down and pick up school children in any location and any parents choosing to take their children to school by car must obey the parking regulations in place.
This is true for resident parking bays and pay and display parking bays as well as single and double yellow lines and the zig zag markings.
Drivers can stop to pick up or drop off children, but waiting for passengers is not permitted, unless in a correct parking place with the appropriate permit or payment. When picking up or dropping off your children you must stay with your vehicle at all times unless your children need help getting into or out of your vehicle or the school will not allow them to leave except when handed over to an appropriate adult. The children must be ready to leave as soon as you arrive, otherwise you must move your vehicle to an appropriate parking place.
If you have to wait for the children to be released or a teacher wishes to speak to you, you must move your vehicle to a parking place and display the correct permit or ticket.
School Keep Clear Markings
These are shown as yellow zig-zag markings directly outside a school entrance. The majority of School Keep Clear Markings in Gateshead are Mandatory. This means that no vehicles should park on the zig-zag or even stop to set down passengers whilst the restrictions are in force. Because there are no permitted activites, no observation will be given and the Penalty Charge Notice will be issued immediately.
You should always check the times of the restrictions on the nearby yellow time plates.
Blue Badge holders
Blue Badge holders may not park or stop on a School Keep Clear Markings during the restriction period.