PARENTS have been urged to park safely while dropping off and picking up their children amid recurring near misses and accidents outside schools.

PC Martin Hayes, Community Beat Officer at Roose, Yarlside, Newbarns and Rampside in Barrow, said parents of school children in those areas must park their cars 'safely' and 'responsibly.'

The PC said: "Unfortunately, a number of near misses and accidents have occurred recently which come as a direct result of poor and unsafe parking.

"Due to this, I have been left with no other option than to issue FPNs for those seen parking illegally.

"Please remember, the safety of our children must come first.

"I appreciate your cooperation in this matter.

"Thank you."

Founder of the Roosecote Community Hub, Cllr Paul Griffiths, said that Roosecote experiences problems of 'inconsiderate and 'illegal parking.'

Mr Griffiths added: "This is something that I've been working on with residents' support over the last few years.

"Earlier this year, we were allocated a Community Police Officer.

"PC Martin Hayes was quick to introduce himself to the residents, and it’s clear to see that he has a real desire to make his community safer for the residents.

"PC Hayes hosted a Roosecote resident meeting a while ago and immediately took on board residents' concerns.

"Following the meeting, he arranged for Police cones to be placed at the notoriously dangerous junction of Holebeck Road and Leece Lane in response to the multiple comments of near-miss accidents at that junction due to cars being parked illegally on the bend.

"The cones can only be temporary, and I am trying to arrange an on-site visit with the Highways Dept via Westmorland and Furness Council to look at a more long-term solution.

"I’m also pleased to see that PC Hayes has released a statement informing residents that he will have no option but to issue FPN to any cars found to be parked illegally, especially outside and near our schools.

"Everyone leads busy lives these days, but it’s no excuse to put pedestrians in danger by parking irresponsibly and hope that drivers take note, leave home a couple of minutes earlier and park sensibly and legally."