Hundreds of road markings are unenforceable outside Sussex schools (From The Argus)

Hundreds of road markings are unenforceable outside Sussex schools

3:40pm Wednesday 20th February 2013 in News By Tim Ridgway, Local government reporter

Coun Robin Rogers outside Field Place First School in Worthing

Hundreds of zigzag lines put in to protect schoolchildren can be ignored by drivers – because they were not put in properly.

To deter motorists, West Sussex County Council has keep clear lines painted outside the majority of its 278 schools.

However only 10% were put in place after officials organised legal traffic orders, which means even when motorists flout the restriction they cannot be punished.

The situation is the same outside another 100 schools in East Sussex.

West Sussex councillor Robin Rogers, who represents Northbrook ward in Worthing, raised the issue after receiving complaints from locals.

Coun Rogers said: “The council are dragging their heels on this.

“It’s so frustrating as we’re talking about the safety of children and unfortunately it seems they do not care about it.

“If it can afford another £4million for the Shoreham footbridge, then they should be able to find this money.”

Transport bosses admit the markings are only introduced as a deterrent, which means enforcement officers cannot issue fines.

However Sussex Police could issue a fixed penalty notice where parking is deemed to be dangerous or obstructive.

Order costs

The Argus understands that some schools do not get traffic orders, which cost about £7,000 each, as it delays markings being introduced.

Pieter Montyn, the council’s transport cabinet member, said it was considering a phased approach to obtaining orders outside all its schools.

He added it was a “sizeable task” which would take a year and cost about £150,000.

Coun Montyn said: “Officers are liaising with the schools to determine the priority list and at the same time helping the schools to advise and educate drivers on how and where to park when dropping off their children.

Message to drivers

“Officers are also considering ways in which the programme might be funded.”

An East Sussex County Council spokesman said although 139 of its 192 schools had markings, only 37 are enforceable.

He added: “Many schools are happy to have the markings as a message to drivers to park sensibly.

“Where schools want the markings to be formalised we are working with them on a case-by-case basis to do so.”

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