A FORMER lollipop lady has called for Cumbria County Council to introduce no-car-zones around schools in the area.

Ivy Brookes, 55, greeted children at the busy Blake Street and Bath Street junction in Barrow for five years before recently putting down her lollipop to focus on her family.

Mrs Brookes believes more should be done to stop parents parking dangerously outside schools.

This comes after a toddler was hit by a car in Ulverston.

Luckily the child did not suffer any injuries.

Mrs Brookes said she supports installing a system similar to the one currently being trialled by Glasgow City Council in which areas around a number of primary schools are being made car-free-zones during certain times while pupils come and go.

She said: “I personally think car free zones around schools would make it safer for children.

“I think it would be ideal if no cars were allowed to park near schools at all.

“So many parents think it is fine to park outside schools because ‘they will only be five minutes’, but often they stop to chat to someone and take longer.

“Areas around schools should be coned off so nobody can park there.

“There are always a lot of children running around schools.

“It only takes two seconds for a child to forget to look across the road and run out before they are hurt or even killed by a car.

“Currently, some parents just do what they want.

“I would put bollards up and make the areas around schools no go zones for cars, meaning parents had to park 10 minutes away and walk their children to school.”

“Schools often ask parents to be more considerate.

“But the schools can only do so much.

“It is up to the parents really to take some responsibility.”

A spokesman for Cumbria County Council, said: “The council has no current plans to introduce no-car zones outside local schools.

“If people are considerate when parking and mindful of the volume of traffic at school drop-off and pick-up times, it is hoped that there will be no need for additional enforcement or for the creation of no-car zones.

“Enforcement officers will continue to monitor the situation outside schools and if anyone has any concerns they can contact the Highways Hotline, or contact the Highways team via the county council website.”