CONCERNED children are lining up outside a school with placards to send a powerful message to parents who are illegally parking.

Holly Spring Primary School in Bullbrook, Bracknell started its three-day peaceful protest this morning (Monday, March 9) to warn parents about parking on zig zag lines.

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Five pupils stood opposite the school from 8.30am holding a word each to spell out 'don't risk children's lives, park safely'.

One parent explained to the Bracknell News how she has witnessed near misses as children avoid being hit by by 'irresponsible drivers'.

Caroline Tampin, parent of a Year Six pupil, said: "People park outside the school, they are prepared to take off without looking around them, they mount the curb, they tend to fly up the road coming towards the zebra crossing as opposed to stopping and looking out for the children — they expect the children to look out for them".

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The Bracknell resident suggested a lolly pop lady could be used as a traffic calming measure to help children cross the road safely.

Bracknell News:

She added: "It would be a safe option to help people slow down and give people general awareness. It's down to the parents and people who are driving to look out for obstructions in the road in front of them."

Police community support officer (PSCO) Ian Gregory, who has worked in the Bullbrook community for four years, has noticed how the road outside Holly Spring is like "a rat run" most mornings.

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He said: "To me its about empowering the kids. They will be the eyes and ears so they can educate their parents not to park where they shouldn't.

"On a weekly basis, I get parents asking me to do something, it's like a rat run and I know this isn't the only school where this occurs.

"It's a cliche but it only takes a second to block someone's view and there will be an accident."

The school has said they are implementing traffic calming measures by having a member of staff on the road in the morning's and afternoon to discourage parents from parking on the double yellow and zig zag lines.

Sue Marsh, headteacher, said: "We have over 600 children arriving every morning, with a lot by car and a lot walking.

"Since the school combined, we have one main entrance and a lot of people cross further up near the main school entrance so there is a lot of foot traffic and if people park in an unsafe way children are at risk."