A fire engine responding to a 999 emergency call was delayed due to illegally parked vehicles near Roberts Primary School in Lower Gornal, prompting a serious warning from local police.
Officers from the Dudley North Neighbourhood Policing Team have voiced increasing alarm about dangerous and unlawful parking during school drop-off and pick-up times. In a letter to parents and carers, they stressed the urgent need to prioritise safety around the school.
“We are becoming increasingly concerned about the dangerous and illegal parking outside Roberts Primary School,” the letter read. “When dropping off and picking up your children, it is crucial to prioritise safety at all times.”
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The police encourage parents to consider walking to school or parking further away and completing the journey on foot to reduce congestion. They also urge motorists to use designated parking areas and avoid stopping on zig-zag road markings or blocking driveways and pavements.
The letter highlighted a recent incident where the West Midlands Fire Service was unable to access a school location quickly due to obstructive parking. This delay hindered the fire engine’s response time to the emergency call.
“It is unacceptable for emergency services to be held up when attending critical incidents, as lives depend on swift and safe arrival,” the letter warned. “Everyone has a responsibility to keep pupils, staff, and families safe.”
Officers also reminded drivers that pedestrians have priority at crossings and junctions, and illegal parking can obstruct driver and pedestrian visibility, increasing the likelihood of accidents.
To prevent dangerous parking, the police advise parents to allow extra time to find legal parking spaces and accompany their children to the school gates. They confirmed that enforcement actions will be taken against those found parking illegally or causing obstructions, in cooperation with the school and local parking wardens.
A West Midlands Fire Service spokesperson reinforced the importance of clear access for emergency vehicles, noting their target of reaching serious incidents within five minutes of mobilisation. They urged drivers to adopt ‘blue light thinking’ by parking considerately and leaving enough space at corners and driveways for fire engines and other emergency vehicles.
“Responsible parking can save precious seconds that make a real difference in emergencies,” the spokesperson added.