A PLEA has been made to urge motorists to park more considerately around schools and colleges in the Tendring area.

A number of issues in a number of areas have been reported but now it is hoped that parents, grandparents, guardians and anyone else taking youngsters in cars will park more responsibly.

It is believed that the situation gets worse over the winter months as drivers try to get as close to the school as possible.

As a result drivers tend to park in areas which are either a danger to highway safety or obstructs other road users.

But councillor Fred Nicholls, who is responsible for Corporate Enforcement at Tendring council, is optimistic that residents will have the common sense to park more considerately over the colder months.

He said: "This has become an all year round problem in the past few years but it is worse in the winter when the weather is often bad and it can be darker on both school runs.

"I know it has been an issue on my own patch of Great Bromley and there are many other areas which have been brought to my attention by officers, such as Clacton and Kirby.

"It is in everyone’s best interests that drivers just take a bit more care about where they park.

"I know time is precious but it is not as precious as lives which are often put at risk by poor parking habits.

"There is every chance that bad habits can lead to accidents and no one wants that.

"At the moment it is causing major headaches for schools, people living close to schools and other parents who are parking correctly."

In order to tackle the problem Enforcement Officers will be daily patrols and will hand out Penalty Charge Notices when necessary.

"Nobody wants a ticket and therefore I am asking drivers to think and be more considerate when they park close to schools and colleges – and it will benefit everyone," Fred added.