West Norfolk Council’s new school car parking scheme ‘well received by parents’ at Whitefriars Academy

A new car parking scheme aimed at easing congestion around a primary school has proved a success after it was used hundreds of times in the first month.

Parents and carers of children at Whitefriars Church of England Primary Academy in Lynn have benefitted from West Norfolk Council’s car park initiative which aims to reduce overcrowding around pick-up and drop-off times.

Drivers are given a QR code that can be scanned at the payment machine at Boal Quay car park - just a few minutes’ walk away from the school - and get 30 minutes of parking for free.

Since November 4, 63 different car registrations have used the system - with 159 uses in the morning and 256 in the afternoon.

Mathew Tuckwood, head teacher of Whitefriars, said: “Boal Quay car park is only 165m away from the junior gate and the system has been well received by parents.

“It certainly makes the roads safer for those walking or cycling to school.”

Prior to the scheme, there were concerns raised by residents of Whitefriars Road and adjoining streets, who said that some parents in cars were blocking the road and keeping their engines running.

As a result, Cllr Deborah Heneghan proposed the initiative and said she was “very glad” to have been able to help.

She added: “It is great that so many of [the parents] have taken advantage of the scheme, which benefits children too.”

Parents from other schools are now being encouraged to take advantage of borough council-owned car parks.

Cllr Bal Anota, cabinet member for events and public open space, said: “I hope to see more Greyfriars School parents make use of The Walks car park in King’s Lynn.

“This car park offers three hours free parking to all.

“Parents and children only have to make a short walk through our beautiful park before they reach the school gate which is inside the park.

“These initiatives help towards the borough council’s key priorities of supporting our communities, protecting our environment and efficient delivery of our services.”