School parking under microscope

A road-safety committee will examine parking issues at Albany Senior High School and Albany Primary School, with parents growing frustrated at the lack of adequate parking spaces.

A City of Albany ranger was deployed last week at APS and issued several warnings to parents parked illegally as they waited to collect their children.

With minimal parking available at peak periods, the vergeside along Suffolk Street often becomes a makeshift carpark for parents and guardians, which can also lead to a traffic snarl on adjoining Middleton Road.

A Department of Education spokeswoman said they were aware of the parking issues.

“The department is aware of a shortage of parking bays and congestion around Albany Senior High School and Albany Primary School,” he said.

“A road safety committee has been established to look into the issue, with representatives from the department, the City of Albany, both schools, parents and the local bus company.

“A new children’s crossing has been set up, and the committee is also looking at further safety and traffic-flow enhancements.”

City of Albany manager ranger and emergency services Tony Ward said rangers attended the area on occasion to ensure parking regulations were adhered to.

“Rangers undertake random patrols at schools from time to time to assess parking behaviours and ensure parking signs are obeyed,” he said. “Rangers did attend ASHS with the aim of educating parents on correct parking behaviour to achieve safe traffic conditions.

“Conversations were had with several drivers and a number of warnings were issued for ignoring parking signs.”

Mr Ward said there had been complaints from the public.

“The City does receive complaints about parking congestion and improper parking at ASHS, however the attendance by rangers was not in response to any complaint, but part of random school parking patrols.”