PARENTS are being urged to think about children’s safety when they make the daily school run by car.

The Spennymoor neighbourhood police team and Durham County Council’s civic enforcement officers have launched a clampdown on motorists around primary schools in the Spennymoor area.

The action began following complaints from families and head teachers about vehicles causing congestion, blocking footpaths and making visibility poor for those trying to cross the road.

There were fears that the inconsiderate parking would lead to an accident.

So officers and wardens have been carrying out patrols around schools on mornings and afternoons to identify the culprits and raise awareness about the risk they pose to youngsters and other pedestrians and drivers.

In the first two weeks of the operation Sgt Curtis said it was clear who the offenders were.

Sgt Jon Curtis said: “It quickly became blatantly obvious it was parents themselves parking inappropriately, sometimes on the yellow zigzag lines outside school while dropping off or waiting to collect a child.

“They are putting children in danger by blocking the areas where it should be safe to cross.”

He said some parents or carers drove off when they spotted officers which he hopes is a sign that the message is getting through and will encourage motorists to be more safety conscious.

Dave Wafer, Durham County Council’s strategic traffic manager, said: “We have been working in partnership with the police over the past couple of weeks to raise awareness of the need to park responsibly when picking up and collecting children from school.

“The aim of the campaign has been to educate rather than enforce so rather than issuing fixed penalty notices we have been speaking to parents about the importance of parking safely.”