A FLINTSHIRE primary school has hit out at illegal parking outside its gates.

Taking to Twitter last week, Ysgol Bryn Coch in Mold said photographs had been taken of illegally parked cars outside the school gates and the matter is being reported to the police. 

Despite clear signage, cars can be seen parked across yellow lines and zig-zags at busy times making it unsafe and difficult for parents with young children to cross the road.

A tweet by Ysgol Bryn Coch read: "Warning to all illegally parked cars outside school. Photographs are being taken of illegally parked vehicles and these are being reported to North Wales Police. One such photograph is being acted upon. Please park safely!"

In response to the school's statement, one parent said: "Some of us need to be a little closer to school because of limited mobility or another disability.

"Others don't but make it truly difficult for those of us who do."

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Moira Owen said: "It's dreadful to see that this is still happening despite the action taken."

Lucy Corrigan-Joseph added: "This should be sent out by email, I think more people will pay attention then.

"The parking at the end of the day is shocking."

The Leader:

Outside the school, another disgruntled mum, who did not want to be named, said: "Good. It's about time there was a crack-down on this. 

"It's dangerous for the kids, it's chaos this time of day at the best of times.

"The zig-zags are there for a reason."

A spokesperson for North Wales Police said: "We will always take public safety seriously, especially when those matters of safety concern our children.

"Parking outside schools is a very emotive issue for various reasons and all we ask is that people dropping off their children outside schools do so in a safe and legal manner.

"Where certain offences are brought to our attention that are deemed to cause a danger to other road users then evidence of those offences can be sent in via Operation SNAP which deals with traffic offences (gosafesnap.wales). Any reports of parking offences should be referred to the relevant highway authority."

The issue of parking in and around Ysgol Bryn Coch is also a concern for some residents of the nearby street, Alexandra Road which is located just off Victoria Road, where the school is situated. 

The Leader:

Reece Donnell who lives on Alexandra Road said: "Occasionally I do struggle to get to work during the school run as it just gets so busy with people parking on the wrong side of the road, however it is a lot better than it used to be."

A one-way system is currently in place surrounding the school to assist in ensuring a safer and more efficient flow of traffic which connects Alexandra and Victoria Road. 

Mike Shaw, who has lived on the street since 1984 added: "We actually voted for the one-way system to come into place, so I understand it can get busy at pick up times.

"There's the odd occasion where someone will be parked across the drive and I can't get out at pick up and drop off times.

"You'll always get one idiot who will drive the wrong way down here as well even though there are two massive signs saying no entry, but for the most part I do understand as it's only for two lots of twenty minutes out of the day." 

Another resident, Lynne Evans has questioned how a child hasn't been injured yet: "There's no respect for our side of the road from parents. We've had damage to both of our cars.

"The day after the school put out the statement, I was going past the school at home time and there's cars parked on the zig-zags with hazards on.

"How the hell there hasn't been a serious injury, I just do not know.

"The worst thing about it is that there is a crossing and you think you're safe, but you're not because you've got cars on zig-zags and cars overtaking cars on zig-zags. Pedestrians can't see and motorists can't see.

"If they have something on after school such as concerts and discos, it's particularly bad because on those occasions it's at night and you really can't see these kids."

"I must say, the school is incredibly supportive.

"If I ring up, they are very apologetic and it's not the school's problem in any way, shape, or form."

It's a problem that seemingly hasn't gone away, as back in 2019, The Leader reported on an angry Alexandra Road resident who revealed how her driveway was being blocked by parents when doing the school run.

It presented difficulties for her husband with health problems.

Ysgol Bryn Coch's statement is a clear indication that the Mold school is taking this issue seriously.

The school has been approached for further comment.