Pupils shame parents' parking

Last year 44 children were injured on roads in Swansea

Pupils are helping to name and shame parents who ignore parking restrictions outside their school gates.

Headteachers in Swansea say they are so fed up with asking motorists to park safely they have enlisted the help of the youngsters.

Pupils at Waunarlwydd Primary School are taking down registration numbers of cars parked illegally and a letter is sent to all parents highlighting the offenders.

Now children at another city school, Pontlliw Primary, are set to go one step further by publishing snapshots of offending cars in their newsletter.

We tell the children its a danger to them and encourage the children to try and influence their mums or dads or grandparents Headteacher Wynford Harris

The heads of both schools said the vast majority of parents were sensible and respected no-parking zones.

But they have had to come up with new ideas to tackle the hard core of drivers who break the rules.

Waunarlwydd head Alan Jones said the entrance to his school was on a particularly busy stretch of road.

"It's been a high-profile issue in our school for some time," he said.

"Unfortunately there are some parents who are uncooperative.

"The children will come into school and note the registration numbers.

Digital cameras

"Parents who are concerned will also make a note of any people who do not conform.

"From time to time we send out letters with the registration numbers."

Parents at Pontlliw have been warned the photos of offending vehicles could appear in the school's newsletter.

Head Wynford Harris raised the issue at a PTA meeting on Wednesday night.

He said: "We have digital cameras in school and the pupils are encouraged to use them.

"They have suggested taking photos of the cars.

Seriously hurt

"They do a newsletter and we have three boys who are the pupil road safety officers in the school and they take their position quite seriously."

Mr Harris wrote to all parents last term warning them the children would be taking photos and they would be published, but this cured the problem.

But he said if parents started ignoring the warnings again then the pupils would be allowed to publish the pictures.

"We tell the children it's a danger to them and encourage the children to try and influence their mums or dads or grandparents," he added.

"Pontlliw is not unique and I'm sure most schools have this problem."

Figures released by the road safety charity Brake on behalf of the Department of Transport show 44 children were injured on roads in Swansea last year, with two seriously hurt.