Over recent weeks and months, I have been meeting with parent councils and teachers as well as getting feedback from concerned neighbours about irresponsible parking at local schools. Crombie, Elrick and Westhill Primary have ongoing parking issues. I am pleased that Aberdeenshire Council have launched the Park Smart campaign along with support from Police Scotland which aims to tackle potentially dangerous parking habits by educating road users and enforcing best practice.

A recent “Hands Up” survey carried out by Sustrans, the sustainable transport charity, suggest that 22% of pupils from schools in Aberdeenshire are driven to school every day. With one in five journeys to school made by car, the safety of pupils to choose to walk or cycle is being put unnecessarily at risk. This in turn is putting families off allowing their children to walk or cycle to school on their own due to the dangers they could face at the school gate.

The Park Smart campaign aims to educate and enforce responsible parking around schools. A package of initiatives is being made available to schools as part of the campaign, giving pupils the chance to get involved and help spread the word. Police Scotland will carry out enforcement visits.

Every child should be able to get to school safely without having to face dangers caused by a minority of irresponsible drivers.