Schools are back and every morning and afternoon across North West Leicestershire, the same scene plays out. Cars up on pavements, parked across corners, blocking driveways, and double yellows treated as a suggestion rather than a rule. If you live near a school, you’ll know exactly what I mean, it’s chaos.
Earlier this year, I tried to do something practical about it. I invited all three authorities with a role in parking enforcement to meet me on site at one of the worst-affected streets. The Police came, the District Council came… the County Council didn’t bother. That alone speaks volumes.
Even with those who did turn up, what should have been a straight conversation about solutions quickly turned into a merry-go-round of excuses. Everyone was quick to explain why it was someone else’s responsibility. No one wanted to be the last one holding the parcel when the music stopped.
Here’s the problem in black and white:
- County Council – control the yellow lines, but it takes years of consultations and bureaucracy to get even a short stretch approved.
- Police – won’t issue tickets on double yellows anymore. At best, they’ll act if there’s a complete obstruction, but that’s rare.
- District Council – employ the traffic wardens, but they’re too few in number and mostly patrol car parks for easy wins rather than the school gates where the problems really are.
So where does that leave us? With residents stuck in the middle, feeling ignored, while the danger continues. With schools back, I’m genuinely worried it’s only a matter of time before there’s a serious accident.
Yes, parents need to park responsibly, that part is common sense. But the law exists for a reason, and laws are only as good as the enforcement behind them.
So I’ll ask the question again: will someone please just take responsibility?
