A HEAD teacher is urging parents not to park on the yellow lines outside of school following two ‘near misses involving pupils’.

Christina Regan, who leads Baxenden St John’s CE Primary, in Church Avenue, issued a notice in a newsletter to parents and carers to take extra care following the scares.

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She suggested that people dropping off or picking up children should use the car park across the road in Manchester Road to try and reduce the risks.

Mrs Regan, who was described as an “inspirational leader”, when Ofsted last visited the school in October, also asked that youngsters and their families used the crossing patrol warden, who is on patrol each school day, to get across the road safely.

She said: “It has come to my attention that we have had two near misses with regard to road safety.

“In the interest of the safety of all the children attending Baxenden St John’s School, please could all parents, grandparents and taxi drivers refrain from parking on the yellow lines at the front of school or parking in the area near to the junior school gates.

“We ask that no drop-offs or pick-ups are made in Hurstead Street.

“Please help us make it a traffic-free zone at the beginning and end of the school day. Please note there is a car park on Manchester Road and a crossing patrol warden on duty each day.”

Coun Kath Pratt, who represents the Baxenden ward, said problems near the school had been reported to her.

She said: “We did provide a car park across the road, which we hope the teaching staff use and which will help alleviate the problem.

“We have put signs out that say that an accident could be caused, but I do not think people think what they are doing is dangerous.

“Everybody is in a rush and they want the nearest possible spot.”

PC Martyn Beverley, from the Baxenden neighbourhood policing team, said: “Normally, if we have problems like this, we try to go out and police it as often as we can to take down registrations.

“We also do letter drops all around the area and give them to pupils to take home to their parents advising them about the parking.”