GREATER powers for PCSOs to tackle nuisance drivers outside school gates will be proposed at a meeting of Swindon Council this week.

In recognition that the local authority does not have sufficient enforcement officers to deal with the problem, it will be recommended that community support officers are granted powers to enforce council parking regulations.

The call comes as police and road safety teams with the council step up campaigns against the issue at the start of the new school year.

Coun Carol Shelley, (Lab, Gorsehill and Pinehurst), will forward the motion at the meeting, on Thursday.

“Ultimately it is all about the safety of the young people going to school,” she said.

“It is the PCSOs who are best placed in the local areas so they know the local community and issues around the schools.

"People in the community expect them to have more powers than they have actually got. This is giving them what people expect them to have.

“Some people need that nudge of enforcement to do the right thing. It is not about increasing their powers and making them law enforcement officers, it is allowing them to cut down on some of this type of behaviour.”

Agencies work alongside schools historically to deal with inconsiderate drivers, which has been an ongoing issue both locally and nationally.

“This is something that is ongoing in all schools and we are taking action about it,” added Coun Shelley.

“Schools send out letters at the start of each year to ask parents to park responsibly and get on board with healthy lifestyles.

“We have a department in Swindon Council specifically for this who do a lot of work to get youngsters involved and educate them. This is the final measure to add a little bit of power for those few people who will block entrances or park near junctions and drive on the pavements.

“The vast majority of parents are considerate, because we are talking about their children who may suffer to and from school. This is for that final few who do not consider other people and do not think about the long and short term consequences of their actions.”

New measures have already been introduced, including a new crossing patrol officer for Highworth and some police sectors prioritising school patrols.

Alison Lowe, headteacher at Even Swindon Primary, said: “We have got a really good working relationship with our PCSOs and they are very much part of our team.

"They know the school and they know the area very well. It would be good for them to be able to support us and keep our school and the surrounding area safe for the children. 

“It is something we work hard on and our travel ambassadors last year worked on creating the five minute walk zone around the school, and our parents have been very responsive to that.”

PC Steve Yeates, the beat manager for West Swindon, said: “We often have a number of complaints coming in regarding inconsiderate parking and driving around schools during the morning and the afternoon.

“Each member of the neighbourhood policing team has a school that we look after, so what we proposed is to have an officer positioned outside their school when they can to act as a deterrent.

“It would not be every day but as a priority we would make an effort to be there when we can.

“Mine is Oliver Tompkins School, so I would try to get there at the right times when I can.

“It has gone down as another anti-social behaviour priority.”

If the motion is passed the council will contact Wiltshire Police and the Police and Crime Commissioner to express their view.