Sefton Council to investigate parking problems at Marshside Primary School

Complaints by residents about car parking at and around Marshside Primary School have been taken up by Lib Dem Councillors who have been promised an investigation by Sefton Council.

“We have been contacted by residents over long -term problems with inconsiderate parking during the school day” said Cambridge Ward Councillor Pat Keith.  “To address these issues and to try to find a solution we arranged a meeting with the head teacher at Marshside School and  council representatives.”

Sefton Council now has a full time Schools Neighbourhoods Officer who leads on all the schools’ work.  Two officers have carried out overall site observations around the school  as well as an assessment and parking count during school ‘drop off.’

After representations from Councillor Keith and her colleagues Councillors Leo Evans and Mike Sammon observations will be carried out at school ‘pick up’ in September and the council officers have undertaken postcode plots of the school catchment area.

The councillors say they are very aware of the concerns of residents in the area and are keen to solve any problems with the interests of the school, parents and pupils at the forefront.  They are also aware that the safety of pupils must be paramount.

The Council will now be exploring in detail what is preventing pupils from walking, cycling, or scooting to school. Solutions could include temporary road closures and traffic calming measures.

“ We have been assured that the work will start with the school in the autumn term, with an aspiration to have the final solutions by the end of the academic year 2026/2027,” said Councillor Evans.  “If they opt for a road closure approach (deeming it a school street) this may take some time to get in place as it will need to go through the official Traffic Regulations Orders.”

Councillor Mike Sammon added: “I visited during the morning school run and could see how Elswick Green quickly becomes a bottleneck. I’m pleased the Council is now exploring the possibility of a School Streets scheme and I hope we will finally see progress on this issue, for the safety of children.”