Dad posts photos of rogue parkers outside Taunton school on Facebook page (From Somerset County Gazette)

Dad posts photos of rogue parkers outside Taunton school on Facebook page

9:00am Thursday 7th March 2013 in News By Michael Marsh

A FATHER fed up of ‘irresponsible’ drivers parking on zigzag lines outside of his daughter’s school has set up an internet page to shame culprits.

Mark Williams is publishing photos of parents parked on the yellow road markings outside North Town Primary School to a Facebook page and is handing out leaflets telling them where they can view themselves on-line.

School bosses have since joined the 42-year-old in claiming those responsible are putting children’s lives at risk.

Technical writer Mark said: “On the mornings I take my daughter to the Little Owls pre-school I almost always see one or more vehicles parked on the zigzags.

“It’s a busy road during school drop-off and pick-up times and offending vehicles restrict the view of children and other road users.”

Mark, of nearby Northfield Court, has snapped dozens of parents choosing to ignore the road markings at the Wood Street entrance and has posted the pictures to his Facebook page called ‘ZigZag Wall of Shame.’

On the days he photographs offending vehicles, posters are displayed outside the school and leaflets explaining his intentions are handed out.

Images are then pixelated to conceal identities of parents and children.

The campaign supports road safety charity Brake and anyone who wants their vehicle removed from the page is asked to make a donation.

Mark added: “In my opinion, drivers who park on the zigzag lines care more for their convenience than the safety of children.

"If my campaign makes them realise the error of their ways then the road outside the school will be a safer place.”

The school has reminded parents in its newsletter not to park their vehicles on the lines.

School governor Amber Packer-Hughes said: “The social media page is a great idea and I am pleased to see somebody is being proactive about tackling the problem.”

Cllr Danny Wedderkopp, who played a part in getting the zigzags painted on the road, said: “I think what Mark is doing is a great idea. Child safety is much more important than convenient parking.”