Parking improvements close to a Morpeth school have been introduced with help from residents, and funding made available from local councillors.
The new parking restrictions at Morpeth First School, Goose Hill, include a ‘keep clear’ zone which will replace the existing double yellow lines on the north side of the school.
The ‘no stopping’ restriction will create a safer environment for pupils at pick-up and drop off times, as well as providing better visibility for both motorists and pedestrians.
The changes at the school are part of a wider set of parking restrictions, which have been trialled since December 2015 and include the Middle Greens West area of Morpeth. In April 2016, every household within the selected area was asked their views on the trial scheme.
The order allowed council officers to investigate whether the changes were a success and gave residents the opportunity to feedback and to see if the changes would deliver significant benefits to the residents’ parking zone.
Local ward councillors Ian Lindley and David Bawn funded the trial through their small schemes budgets.
Other restrictions as part of the trial period included a residents’ parking zone, which temporarily introduced a limited waiting time (20 minutes with no return within four hours).
Councillor Lindley said: “Giving residents the chance to feed back their views before permanent changes were made was key – although a minority of residents gave a positive response, we felt that there was not a sense of sufficient support for some of the new restrictions, particularly when an annual fee would have been payable by all thereafter.
“Therefore after careful consideration it has been decided to bring the trial to an end and remove the residents permit part of the scheme, as it was felt that there was insufficient resident support to justify these restrictions.
“However I am delighted that local schoolchildren will benefit with improved safety measures when they go to school from now on.”
Councillor Bawn added: “It is pleasing for residents and councillors to witness changes that have been put in place as a result of this carefully planned project.
“By introducing temporary measures to gauge residents’ views on the parking plans, we were able to find out what worked and what didn’t, meaning that money was spent where it should be and with support from the public.”
Councillor Ian Swithenbank, cabinet member for local services added: “As a council we continue to closely monitor areas where parking may become an issue with residents, businesses and also schools.
“The members’ small schemes budget can help make a big difference and gives councillors the opportunity to fund projects which can significantly improve their local area.”
