PARENTS are risking a serious accident by parking dangerously near 26 Copeland schools, police officers warn.

The warning comes after investigations by police community support officers, Alan Willison and Colette Harrison, revealed numerous driving issues in the vicinity of schools.

They include near misses and minor collisions; serious congestion; parking and queuing on zig-zags road markings and double yellow lines; blocking pavements, road junctions and driveways; and using school staff car parks.

They also found parents with disabled badges parking on zig-zags; offensive behaviour from parents when asked to move by teaching staff; parking on pavements; parking in bus stops; and blocking other businesses and care homes nearby.

It followed enquiries at schools regarding the issues they have with the daily drop-off and pick-up of pupils.

Schools affected are: St Joseph’s, Frizington, Frizington Primary and Nursery, Ennerdale, Lamplugh, Arlecdon, Moor Row, St Patricks, Cleator Moor, Montreal Primary and Cleator Moor Nursery.

Also affected are St Gregory’s and St Patrick’s, Valley, St Beghs, Jericho, St Benedict’s, St Bees primary, Orgill, Bookwell, Gosforth, Seascale, St James Infants and St James Juniors, Bransty, St Mary’s, Kells and Black Combe Juniors.

Police are now urging those who take and collect children from school to consider the potential consequences of parking dangerously.

Sergeant Kenny Macleod said: “As can be appreciated from this long list, many of the points mentioned are an issue in themselves, but as a collective problem, it is magnified and is only by sheer luck that a very serious incident has not occurred.

“Ironically, if such an incident were to happen, the immediate and understandable response from parents would be ‘why hasn’t something been done about this’ and ‘this has been building for a while’ when the problems are being created by those collecting or dropping off children.

“Our concern is for the safety of children in and around schools, this is not about blame but education to motorists.

“Consideration and preparation in parking can significantly reduce the risk of a serious road collision. Where the children can walk or be walked to school safely, please do so. If public transport is available, use it. If you have to drop off or collect your children, please do so at a reasonable distance from the school and where appropriate allow your child to safely walk the rest of the way.”