Carleton House Preparatory School is to name parents in its newsletter if neighbours send in photographic evidence, according to local councillors.
Carleton House Preparatory House School, Menlove Avenue, Allerton.(Image: Andrew Teebay Liverpool Echo)
A Liverpool school has pledged to name and shame parents who park “illegally and dangerously” after complaints from neighbours. Carleton House Preparatory School in Allerton is to name parents in its newsletter if neighbours send in photographic evidence, according to local councillors.
When the ECHO visited the area around the Menlove Avenue school on Friday (May 15), neighbours spoke of dangerous parking forcing pedestrians into the busy Cromptons Lane, a busy but narrow route used frequently by double-decker buses.
Pensioner Jane Hughes told the ECHO: “They [parents] park all over the pavements. The cars are so big you can hardly see over them.
“It’s dreadful. Sometimes it’s gridlock. People are having to walk into the road. It’s got worse recently, and they come at all funny hours.”
Mrs Hughes added: “We really need double-yellow lines. It’s not on. It’s not safe.”
Carleton House Preparatory House School.(Image: Andrew Teebay Liverpool Echo)
Sandy Coleman, headteacher of Carleton House Preparatory School, said the school takes concerns about parking seriously and is seeking to encourage safe and considerate parking.
She added that the school has “communicated clear expectations to families” around parking.
Cllr Liz Makinson (Lib Dem) told the ECHO: “The vast majority of parents are doing the right and courteous thing, but a small minority are causing real upset. Some drivers are giving people a mouthful of abuse if they’re challenged, including older residents at Crompton Court.
“Mrs Coleman has been incredibly supportive and is really engaging with this minority of parents. She’s encouraging parents to send in photos of bad parking, and is naming and shaming those parents in the school newsletter.
“One parent who was caught driving down the pavement is being named and shamed in the newsletter.”
Carleton House Preparatory House School.(Image: Andrew Teebay Liverpool Echo)
Cllr Makinson said that parking wardens have attended the school two or three times in recent weeks, and that the situation has improved when they are present. She added: “Ultimately, the thing everyone is worried about is one of the children being hurt.”
Another neighbour on Cromptons Lane told the ECHO: “They park all over the pavements in huge cars. I wonder how many of the journeys are really necessary, and whether alternative transport could be used.”
Headteacher Mrs Coleman said: “Carleton House Preparatory School takes all concerns regarding parking and road safety extremely seriously.
“We continually seek to encourage safe and considerate parking and are committed to working positively with our parents, neighbours, local councillors and local road traffic enforcement teams to improve safety around our school at busy times.
“We have communicated clear expectations to families regarding safe and responsible parking and continue to encourage the use of alternative parking options nearby.
Carleton House Preparatory House School.(Image: Andrew Teebay Liverpool Echo)
“The safety of our children, families and local residents remains our utmost priority, and we value the strong relationship we have with our local community.”
Councillor Dan Barrington, Cabinet Member for Transport and Connectivity said: “Making sure our roads are safe for all road users, whether they’re driving, walking or wheeling is a priority for the Council. That’s why we’ve increased the number of parking wardens working across the entire city who will respond when cars are found to be parked illegally or dangerously.
“We have also committed to introducing 50 School Streets by April 2027, to protect some of the most vulnerable people on our roads as they travel to and from school each day. Additionally, our road safety team works closely with schools throughout the year to encourage parents and other drivers to park considerately.”