PARKING has caused more controversy in the west of Haringey this week with parents facing £40 fines for parking illegally outside schools and residents making fresh appeals for permits. Police officers from Hornsey Safer Neighbourhoods T

Charlotte Newton

PARKING has caused more controversy in the west of Haringey this week with parents facing £40 fines for parking illegally outside schools and residents making fresh appeals for permits.

Police officers from Hornsey Safer Neighbourhoods Team pounced on unsuspecting parents parked on zigzag lines outside Campsbourne Primary School in Nightingale Lane and Rokesly Junior School in Rokesly Avenue, Hornsey this week, handing out £40 fines.

Sgt John Scott of the Hornsey Safer Neighbourhoods Team had written to parents requesting them not to park outside the school gates, but his road safety message has failed to get through.

Sgt Scott said: "This is not a money-making scheme. We're doing this for children's safety. I don't want to wait until we have had a child killed or seriously injured to actually get the message across to parents.

"We urge parents to be vigilant and if they live nearby, to walk to school, or use public transport. If parents do insist on driving, they should park in adjoining roads. Parents who double park cannot see a small child step out into the road. It's very dangerous."

Jon Goulding, Headteacher of Campsbourne Primary School, said: "We do have some parents who are repeat offenders and we would urge them to walk children to school or to park safely."

Parking has also caused problems in other parts of the borough. Outraged Crouch End residents have been told that a CPZ consultation process has been delayed until after the Mayoral elections in May.

Sue Hessel, chairwoman of the Haslemere Residents' Association, said: "We're extremely disappointed. People have shown a lot of goodwill by attending community meetings and the council has fobbed us off.

Lib Dem councillor Sue Weber said: "If Labour-controlled Haringey had listened to its residents and acted promptly this problem would have been resolved long ago."

But Cllr Brian Haley would only say: "Subject to feedback, and taking into account the purdah period for local and Mayoral elections, it is envisaged that public consultation will start in May.''