FOR most parents, picking up your child after their day at school is a long and tiring, but necessary, process.

However, for many who are not involved in this day-to-day occurrence, it can be as equally frustrating, with parents typically parking outside their respective schools causing obstructions nearby.

The debate continues on nationwide as to whether schools should ban driving and or parking outside schools during peak periods.

The Highway Code states: “You must not wait or park, or stop to set down and pick up passengers, on school entrance (zig-zag) markings.”

On Essex Highways website, it continues: “Despite the best efforts of the borough’s schools, parent-teacher associations and the council’s road safety team, a small number of parents/carers continue to stop or park illegally and dangerously on these markings.

“We periodically step up enforcement to target the minority of parents who ignore the rules.”

The guide also says various punishments can be enforced.

If you stop or park on the markings, you could face a fine of £130, or £65 if paid within 14 days.

In Essex, 3PR is a school-led initiative offered across the North and South Essex Parking Partnership Areas to primary schools.

The initiative engages and educates pupils with the use of incentives and other means to change and influence parking behaviours of the parents or guardians.

3PR stands for 3 Parking Rules with the three rules as follows.

Care, to be careful where you park, being careful not to cause an obstruction and to use a car park if available.

Consideration, to respect the school’s parking policy, always consider the neighbours and don’t block driveways, it also details to be polite and courteous and if possible, walk, scoot or cycle instead.

Lastly is caution, to look out for other children, not just your own. Always observe the speed limits, stay off the pavement and don’t park on yellow zigzags or markings. Also avoid parking on a bend.

The 3PR scheme aims to prevent inconsiderate, illegal and dangerous parking around schools by working towards changing parents’, and students, behaviours.

It uses an incentivised approach to try and get youngsters and their parents using more sustainable and healthy methods of getting to school.

For Hamilton Primary School, in Constantine Road, its 3PR was implemented directly outside the school, which bans cars from parking inside this area.

In November last year, Earls Colne Primary School joined the scheme.

Partners of this park and stride scheme also included the Earls Colne Recreation Club car park, Earls Colne Village car park, Earls Colne Village Hall car park and Riverside Spice car park.

This reduces the number of cars at the school gates and engages pupils by encouraging competition with other classes to be awarded the coveted 3PR trophy.

With the debate ongoing, the Gazette asked readers whether they think cars should be banned from driving outside schools during pick-up and drop-off times.

Readers were mixed in their responses, with some agreeing and some not.

John Murton said: “Yes, for 30 minutes either side and no parking within a mile of school gates. That includes the school run.”

Liz Adams echoed this, adding: “Yes. I live by Philip Morant School and it’s a nightmare at pick up time.

“We have double yellow line parking restrictions but the number of inconsiderate parents who flout them as they have to get as close to the school as possible, so their kids don’t have far to walk.

“The restrictions were put in place for the safety of the children, but parents don’t seem to want to abide by that.”

David Bates said: “Absolutely. It’s a nightmare trying to deliver prescriptions round Cherry Trees Primary and the school on Old Heath Road , Abbots Road junction.

“Cars clog up both sides of the road and park nearly all the way up Cottage Drive.”

However, plenty defended the parking by parents in peak times.

Jason Edwards said: “No, we just need proper parking.

“This isn't the days of one working parent and one running the kids about, doing the house, shopping.

“If not most then a lot of parents are both working while also getting the kids to school and getting to work for a normal start time.

“Ours used to get the bus, where possible, but that wasn't covered by any assistance and if it rained it was full by the time it went passed the school stop and just left the. standing there trying to get home.”

Deb Duck added: “No, ridiculous idea. Small children can’t walk to school and parents have to be at work.”

Andy Mahen agreed, saying: “No, but parking outside them needs to be properly enforced.”

Caroline Pitt said: “Safe parking should be provided for drop off and pick up so that pedestrians and local resident drivers can travel unimpeded.”