Children join forces with police to spell out safety message

Children from a school in Harlow joined forces with police and their local MP to spell out an important road safety message.

Year six students at Abbotsweld Primary School went to new lengths to spell out a 'keep clear' message to motorists who park on the zig-zag keep clear road markings outside their school.

The photo of the 10 and 11-year-old pupils will be used on new posters and flyers which will be placed on any offending vehicles.

Harlow MP, Robert Halfon said: "Today was about road safety and what was wonderful was to see the kids actually participate and go and design themselves in forms of letters to try and persuade their parents and other school people to make sure they park safely and don't park on the yellow zig-zags. 

"It's great to see the kids get involved in such a way and particular thanks to the police who took part and made it happen and I think when this gets publicised, I think a lot of parents would look at it and park so much more safely.”

Headteacher Lesley Lynn said: "We were very worried about parents parking on the zig-zag lines.  It obscures the view of the crossing patrol people, also, parents get the children out of the car on the zig-zag lines and they have been going down the roadside of the railings, which obviously is very dangerous.  We want our children and families to be safe on the roads.

Pc Rob Hance said: "Our main concern is the safety of our children outside schools.  We have received complaints from parents and teachers across the Harlow area of people being inconsiderate by parking their vehicles on zig-zag lines just outside the school gates.  The children wanted to send a strong message to those offending motorists that it will not be tolerated and any offenders could find themselves with a £30 fine."