PFCC Roger Hirst MBE visits Willows Primary School to discuss road safety concerns

PFCC Roger Hirst MBE visited Willows Primary School in Basildon this week, following an invitation from Headteacher Mr Robinson to observe safety issues caused by dangerous parking and driving during school drop‑off and pick‑up times.

Mr Hirst joined Richard Holden MP, Ch/Insp Hogben and Cllr Jeff Henry, witnessing first-hand the risks posed to children, parents and staff. Despite existing enforcement measures – including single and double yellow lines and yellow zig‑zag markings – vehicles continue to stop illegally or manoeuvre unpredictably outside the school.

With parking permitted on one side of Church Road, congestion builds quickly, leading some motorists to pull into adjacent residential closes to turn around. 

There are also instances of drivers mounting and driving over the pavement to bypass traffic, putting pedestrians directly in harm’s way.

Expressing serious concern about the risks to young people and the wider community, Mr Hirst said, “Visiting the school this morning highlighted a clear and urgent need for coordinated action to improve safety outside the school and protect pupils at the busiest times of the day.”

“While I was there a number of concerned parents took the time to come over and express their concern and share experiences of their children being put at risk.

“I fully support the need for further multi‑agency meetings to explore options including possible changes to the road layout and additional engineering or safety measures.”