PAVEMENT parking may prove to be an issue when students return to school next week.

With some arguing that there is a lack of parking near schools, parents resort to stopping outside or parking down residential streets.

One reader has got in touch to share his opinion and although he doesn't live in the area, he has concerns over roads being blocked for emergency vehicles and a lack of children walking to school.

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"I don't live anywhere near Bracknell, but pavement parking is a national issue.

I live about 200 yards from a primary school. There is plentiful on-street parking near the school which many parents use. But a stubborn cohort insists on parking on the pavement opposite the school and in some cases even right next to the school entrance. All to avoid a walk which would take no more than two minutes. What do they want? Drive-thru classrooms?

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My parents brought me up to take care when crossing the road. Today's children have to be careful when walking on the pavement - you never know when someone is going to mount the pavement, usually to park but sometimes because they don't want to stop behind the vehicle in front of them while it waits to make a right turn. It's not just pavement parking - it's pavement driving as well.

The usual excuse is "if I didn't park on the pavement I'd block the road to fire engines". Very altruistic, I'm sure. But in many areas where pavement parking is a serious problem, there is plenty of parking available - the driver just has to make a miniscule effort and think of someone other than him/herself for a change. For example, I have neighbours who could park on their driveway or in their garage, but instead park on the pavement across the entrance to their empty driveway. This evening I've had to walk in the road because parents apparently taking their children to a birthday party (legal at the moment?) were blocking the pavements with their cars, despite there being easy parking within a minute's walk.

Pavement parking is usually the product of laziness and bad habits, and rarely of necessity.

I know I've gone on a bit - but as no-one else seems to have commented I thought I'd send you a few thoughts. I look forward to counting how many motorists claim they have to park on the pavement otherwise emergency vehicles wouldn't get past - the old ones are the best!"

Vincent Edwards