We fear for our children’s lives after ‘petty’ parking ban means they’ll have to walk on road with no pavement

PARENTS in a small village are up in arms as they claim the local village hall's "petty" parking ban will endanger their children.

The hall had been a popular pick-up and drop-off spot for the nearby school, but new bollards have now been installed to keep vehicles out.

Residents of Wingham, Kent, were stunned when the school newsletter announced that they would be banned from the village hall car park (as well as smoking near it) after being accused of "abusing" the site.

The notice read: "As of September, [the village hall committee] will be making changes to the layout of the village hall’s private car park to ease congestion for all hall users.

"Therefore, from September you will no longer be able to use the car park and will need to park elsewhere.

"In the meantime, please do not park in the car park before 2.50pm or smoke within its vicinity. It is private property."

The 28-bay parking area is privately owned by the hall and is controlled by the committee.

Bosses have slammed the "chaos" at schooltime and accused parents of blocking off the car park with irresponsible parking, citing the impact on nearby homeowners.

The row even escalated to the point that committee members and their supporters wearing high-vis jackets tried to physically stop motors from entering and took photos of any that did.

It will put their lives at risk

Stacie Garside

However, those with children attending the school have hit back at the decision, branding it dangerous.

They argue that it will force kids to walk along busy roads without pavements to get to the school and put them at risk of being hit.

Stacie Garside, a mum-of-two in the area, told : "The greatest issue here is the safety of young children and I’m appealing to the village hall to show some community spirit and human kindness.

"There are no other safe routes for children and this will put their lives at risk."

And she urged the local community and hall committee to get together amicably to hammer out a solution that works for everyone.

Fellow mum Sally Carson added: "I just ask what is the village hall gaining from it, because the car park is often empty throughout the day and pick-up and drop-off is a very short period?

"It just seems petty and Wingham is supposed to be a community."

Likewise, Theresa Best from nearby Aylesham claimed that she now fears for the safety of her children.

She explained: "The road is very busy with heavy lorries and a child could get killed.

"There is simply no safe alternative to the village hall car park."

Not everyone is convinced, though, as some locals support the ban.

Writing on the community Facebook page, one said: "Residents appreciate that children need to be dropped off safely but this is a matter for the school and the council.

"The bottom line is the village hall car park is for their users, not the school."

A spokesperson for the village hall committee said: "As from the September 2, Wingham Village Hall (WVH) Car Park will be closed to all non-authorised users this will include parents of children attending Wingham Primary School.

"WVH Committee regret having to take this decision and it has only been taken after lengthy consultation and agreement with local residents, Pre School representatives and Wingham Parish Council, furthermore the Committee have gone to great lengths to engage with both the School Head, its Governors and KCC in an effort to find a solution.

";Our objective is to maintain the safety of all villagers in this area but the lack of response from the school has been disappointing and concerning.

"We welcome future constructive dialogue with the school and parents, which has been long awaited, in order to find a workable and safe solution for all concerned."

Wingham Primary School declined to comment.

A spokesperson for Kent County Council added: "We are aware that the school has regular correspondence with parents about parking which seeks to address the concerns raised by the Village Hall Management Committee and residents, and we understand this will continue.

"Parents are encouraged to park in alternative locations, to walk and car share.  

"It is clear to us that any solution must be locally agreed following dialogue amongst the various parties to the problems.

“For our part, we have worked with the parish council to deliver road improvements in the area, including a 20mph zone along the A257 Canterbury Road to encourage drivers to reduce their speed."