Operation highlights dangers of irresponsible parking on school run

An operation carried out by the emergency services in Welwyn Garden City has highlighted the dangers of inconsiderate parking on the school run.

On Friday (5 December), the Welwyn Hatfield Neighbourhood Policing Team (NPT) joined together with the ambulance services for a special operation in Panshanger.

Both services attempted to drive their vehicles through Hilly Fields, demonstrating the difficulty of this due to parents and carers parking selfishly.

After the operation finished, police were made aware of a collision nearby in Hardings – another road which has seen poor parking. Thankfully nobody was injured and the drivers exchanged details.

PCSO James Pedder, from the Welwyn Hatfield NPT, said: “Our operation clearly showed that had a real emergency been happening, we would have struggled to get to the scene in time. That could have resulted in somebody losing their life because we couldn’t get there fast enough.

“This is an issue we are seeing across the borough and we will be carrying out further operations in the New Year.

“We fully appreciate the stress of the school run and trying to get to work on time but we urge parents and carers to please stop and think. Do you really want to be the cause of somebody not getting the help they need in an emergency? It could be your loved one waiting for us to get to them.

“Please let this operation be a reminder to explore alternative parking options in your school’s area. Consider leaving earlier or picking up your child(ren) later. Perhaps have a meeting point on a residential street nearby without parking restrictions.

“We know that not all parents and carers are parking selfishly and we thank those for playing their part in keeping the roads clear and safe.”

Sandra Treacher, Head of Clinical Operations for Herts and West Essex at the East of England Ambulance Service (EEAST), said: “Every second matters in an emergency. When ambulances are delayed by inconsiderate parking during school drop-off and pick-up, lives are put at risk.

“This joint operation shows just how much irresponsible parking can affect our ability to reach patients quickly. The message is simple: please park responsibly – your choices could mean the difference between life and death.”

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