RESIDENTS at Bowerhill in Melksham are being asked to help solve a tricky traffic management issue relating to two local schools.

Melksham without Parish Council wants suggestions on how to address parking issues at school drop off and pick up times. The issue affects traffic management outside Melksham Oak School and Bowerhill Primary School.

The parish council thinks that installing double yellow lines to prevent parents from parking outside the schools and nearby homes is not an effective or appropriate way to address the issue.

Parish clerk Teresa Strange said: “The council regularly receives requests for double yellow lines to be installed on residential roads near to the schools. We believe that all this would do is to push cars onto other nearby roads and would mean that residents can’t park outside their houses.

“We are empathetic to the frustrations of residents living close to the schools, but we also recognise the problems faced by parents trying to find an appropriate and safe place to park their vehicle for that short period of time whilst delivering or collecting their children.”

With only a five weeks to go before the end of the summer term, the parish council believes now is not the right time to tackle the problem. But it is inviting residents to send in ideas and suggestions for the start of the new school year in September.

Teresa added: “The problem is that the police have decriminalised parking on double yellow lines unless the vehicle is causing an obstruction and there is no significant enforcement by Wiltshire Council so a conflict has arisen between residents and parents who are dropping off and collecting their children.”

Anyone who has a constructive idea or suggestion should send it to office@melkshamwithout.co.uk or call the office on 01225 705700 before September.