Schools still waiting for enforceable waiting restrictions approved 9 months ago

Photo of a blue banner with white and yellow text.
A banner displayed outside Meadowbrook Primary School with the message: ‘Show you care, park elsewhere’.

Legally enforceable waiting restrictions have still not been implemented outside two Bradley Stoke primary schools despite it being almost 9 months since the associated legal orders and statutory notices were approved.

The existing ‘school keep clear’ road markings at the two schools cannot be enforced because they are not backed by supporting legal orders.

Public consultations on proposed schemes involving ‘school keep clear’ markings and double yellow lines on roads outside Meadowbrook Primary School and Baileys Court Primary School were carried out in February and March 2020. It was subsequently announced, in May 2020, that the council had decided to proceed with the proposals, subject to some minor amendments.

At Meadowbrook, several new sets of double yellow lines will create ‘no waiting at any time’ restrictions in Three Brooks Lane all the way up to the Three Brooks Roundabout, as well as around the corners into The Culvert, Crystal Way and Hawkins Crescent.

At Baileys Court, several new sets of double yellow lines will create ‘no waiting at any time’ restrictions in sections of Breaches Gate, also extending slightly around the corners into Baileys Court Road.

A legal order and a statutory notice for the two schemes were approved in May 2021, but the work is still to be carried out, meaning that school children, other pedestrians and road users have now been exposed to the safety risks identified in the consultations’ statements of reasons for a further two years.

Photo of spray paint markings on a road surface.
Temporary spray paint markings in the road outside Meadowbrook Primary School in May 2021 show the planned extent of new ‘school keep clear’ (SKC) markings and double yellow lines.

At Meadowbrook, temporary paint marks were sprayed in the road and on the pavement to mark the planned extent of the new road markings and the positions of posts on which the restriction notices are to be mounted. These were clearly visible in May 2021 but have since weathered away.

In the meantime, the existing (albeit unenforceable) yellow zig-zag markings outside both schools have deteriorated to the point of being almost unrecognisable.

Photo of a 'cardboard cut-out' police officer.
A ‘cardboard cut-out’ police officer positioned in the road outside Meadowbrook Primary School in an effort to deter dangerous parking (May 2021).

The school has resorted to putting out ‘cardboard cut-out’ police officers to deter irresponsible parking and there are occasional visits from the local PCSOs and the South Gloucestershire Council camera car. But the reality is that the camera car cannot issue tickets as the existing restriction markings are unenforceable. And even if the markings were enforceable, the police have no powers to issue tickets for yellow line or school ‘keep clear’ infringements, this function having been transferred to the local authority in 2007.

Weather issues

In October 2021, when the Journal asked why neither scheme had been implemented, a spokesperson for South Gloucestershire Council replied:

“These schemes will help to keep school entrances free from inconsiderate parking and idling traffic and make them more pleasant for our children, with improvements to road safety and air quality.”

“We are looking to implement the schemes during in the October half-term but due to the nature of the work, this will depend on the weather and other factors.”

October half-term came and went, as did the Christmas and New Year break.

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Pandemic pressure

The latest statement from South Gloucestershire Council, received a few days after the matter was raised during the public questions session at a meeting of Bradley Stoke Town Council on 19th January 2022, additionally blames the impact of the coronavirus pandemic. It reads:

“We are currently awaiting implementation of school keep clear markings and related road marking works [at the two schools mentioned].”

“Our operations team will be carrying out these works but they have been under huge pressure since the pandemic became evident.”

“Laying road markings is very much weather-dependent too and so due to the time of the year it is unfortunately not possible to provide a timeframe for completion. Gritted or damp roads are a particular problem and so much of this type of work traditionally has to be carried out in warmer months.”

“I am aware a package covering the above sites is being prepared to help clear a backlog when the weather and resources permit.”

Photo of faded 'school keep clear' road markings.
Unenforceable (and barely visible) ‘school keep clear’ road markings in Breaches Gate, near Baileys Court Primary School (February 2022).

The extent to which the council’s excuses hold water is open to question as there has been plenty of road (re)surfacing and associated road marking activity carried out in the town since the pandemic began. Indeed, the council boasted that it was able to complete the Great Stoke (Rabbit) Roundabout scheme ahead of schedule and the resurfacing of Orpheus Avenue / Brook Way and Pear Tree Roundabout (Woodlands Lane) was carried out earlier than originally planned. Existing white line markings have been renewed in many areas of the town and at least one zebra crossing has been repainted. And as for “damp roads”, we have just experienced one of the driest Januarys on record!

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In addition to the Meadowbrook and Baileys Court schemes, the implementation of legally enforceable waiting restrictions outside Holy Trinity Primary School is still awaited. The legal order for this work was approved even earlier than the other two schemes, in November 2020.

Journal tip: If you are concerned about the length of time it is taking to implement these approved legally enforceable waiting restrictions, why not raise the matter with your local South Gloucestershire Council ward member? An easy way to do this is via WriteToThem.com

More information and related links:

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Road markings implemented!

UPDATE added 25th February 2022.

Photo of double yellow lines in roads.
Legally enforceable double yellow lines and ‘school keep clear’ road markings being painted outside Meadowbrook Primary School on Friday 25th February 2022.

Less than a fortnight after the publication of this article, South Gloucestershire Council has finally got round to implementing the approved scheme of road markings outside Meadowbrook Primary School.

Council workers were seen painting lines on Thursday 24th February and continued work on Friday 25th February 2022.

The post-mounted notice plates that accompany the road markings are, however, yet to be installed.

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