A councillor is working with police to solve parking problems outside a primary school.

Huncoat ward councillor Eamonn Higgins is concerned that congestion outside Peel Park primary school at peak times is endangering the safety of children.

The problems are occurring as parents drop off their children in the morning and after school at 3.15pm.

A series of meetings took place recently at the police station and the school to try and resolve this long running issue.

Coun Higgins, who is also an Accrington paramedic, said: “There is a long standing problem with people parking on yellow lines outside the school. This is endangering the lives of children and it has to stop.

“The road has clear markings and signs of no parking or stopping. It’s disregarded by people dropping off children.”

The concern is shared by Peel Park’s acting headteacher Alison Padgett, who said: “It’s an ongoing problem. We want to work with parents to find a solution to the parking issues.”

Coun Higgins says that patrols will now be stepped up in the area and fixed penalty notices may be issued to vehicles contravening the no-parking lines.

A school warden will also take registration numbers of offending vehicles and pass the information to the police.

Congestion is particularly bad on Turkey Street and Manor Street by the primary school.

The school has recently extended the times parents can drop off children to 8.40am to allow an extra ten minute window to help ease traffic congestion.

Coun Higgins added: “I have liaised with the police with a view to stepping up patrols in the area at drop off and pick up times.

“I hope people can observe the parking restrictions before a child is knocked down and injured.”

Children can use a ‘park and stride’ programme to walk in from further away.

The local police team was unavailable for comment.