Cllrs Bryan and Val Turner, together with Tim Loughton MP, met today with the Head of Thomas A’Beckett Junior School to hear about what the school have been doing since we raised the issue of inconsiderate driving and parking in Glebeside Road and Close at school pick-up time.
We were pleased to learn that the school had held an open meeting with local residents on January 11th, which was attended by no less than 110 residents.
The school explained the work they had been doing to persuade parents to choose non-car journeys, or if a car journey is unavoidable to do so without causing congestion. They have making extensive use of the school newsletters and parent meetings to enforce the message that the car is a poor choice for getting the children to school. So it was good to hear that 83% of pupils are now walking or using other sustainable ways to get to school. The numbers still coming by car have reduced to 14% of the school roll. More parents are parking away from the school, then walking the final part of the journey with their children to and from school.
They have also taken action to get their own house in order with regard to parking. No staff are allowed to park outside of the school perimeter, and the school car park is kept open into the afternoon and evening when there are events taking place. This has made it easier for residents and their visitors in the near-by roads.
Other ideas to be taken forward included making the Rectory Rd entrance into a “School safety Zone”, the purchase of a body camera for the School Crossing Patrol, targeted enforcement in Tarring High St, NSL to attend to support the SCP, and the use of large “Keep Clear” banners.
Also in attendance at today’s meeting were representatives from NSL, the Police, West Sussex Highways, Tarring Neighbourhood Watch, West Sussex Safer Routes to School, other senior staff from Thomas A’Beckett Junior, Primary and Worthing High School.
Another meeting will be arranged in the future to ensure that our joint work remains effective.