"DANGEROUS" driving and parking around two Billericay schools has sparked the launch of a community campaign involving teachers, parents, pupils and the police.
Buttsbury Junior School, in Norsey View Drive, and Buttsbury Infant School, Perry Street, have joined forces to combat irresponsible driving on three streets – Norsey View Drive, Perry Street and Trafalgar Way.
Parents, staff and residents living near the schools have become increasingly concerned for pupils' safety, not to mention agitated by the behaviour of some drivers.
Mums and dads dropping off their children in the morning and collecting them in the afternoon have been blamed for causing havoc on the roads.
Some drivers stop on yellow lines, others pull out without indicating and others have even been spotted parking in disabled bays without a permit.
There have also been several reports of drivers pulling up on yellow zigzag lines where they are not permitted to stop and leaving their cars by crossings.
Buttsbury Junior School's head teacher Ann Robinson said: "I took over as head in January and I was soon aware of the problem, which clearly has been an issue for many years.
"I had a number of complaints about the parking situation and saw it first-hand.
"It's quite ridiculous when parents are the offenders – they are supposed to be showing the children a good example, not putting them in danger."
Mrs Robinson, who is responsible for 491 pupils, added: "They also park on the pavements and block people's drives – if an ambulance needed to access one of these houses the consequences could be serious."
Buttsbury Infant School has 362 pupils, which means that 853 pupils have to cross these roads each day.
On February 25, a meeting was held and a working party was formed to tackle the problem.
Among those involved were staff, parents and pupils from both schools, Reverend Warner Pidgeon, of Christ Church in Perry Street, and Police Community Support Officer Lauren Bryant.
The meeting established a plan of action to improve the safety of the roads.
The campaign group has since sent out a newsletter which encourages car sharing and driveway renting to reduce traffic volumes.
The working party also launched a 'name and shame' system, where offending drivers will be photographed and their photos will be sent PCSO Bryant.
The children will also design posters with the help of PCSO Bryant, who is part of the Billericay West Neighbourhood Policing Team.
One parent who has been heavily involved in the scheme is Leigh Anne Wiles, of Perry Street.
Mrs Wiles, 40, a mum to Oliver, 5, and Isabelle, 8, said: "I wanted to get involved for the safety of the children.
"Children can't see when they are crossing the road because of cars blocking their view.
"We want people to be aware that our work is for the benefit of the children.
"I understand people are very busy and don't have much time but their children's safety is the most important thing."
Mrs Wiles added that Mr Pigeon had offered free parking in the church car park for parents dropping off their children.
