Every day, parents of children attending Romsey Abbey School face immense anxiety and frustration as they navigate the challenges of picking up or dropping off their children. This stress is not only because of the daily hustle and bustle but also due to the penalties imposed by Hampshire County Council. It's unacceptable that parents are being penalized with fines for circumstances beyond their control - how long their child takes to enter or exit school is not something they can change.

The root of the issue lies in the lack of allocated parking for parents during school times. Romsey Abbey School does not have the necessary parking facilities to accommodate all parents, forcing many to park where they can in the nearby streets. Yet, when they do, they often find themselves ticketed or fined, aggravating their tenure as responsible parents simply trying to ensure the safety and punctuality of their children.

In no way should parents be made to feel like criminals for dropping their children to a safe place for education. The Hampshire County Council has an obligation to solve this pervasive issue rather than exacerbate it. Validating and acknowledging this problem is the first step towards a solution, and providing parking permits during school pick-up and drop-off times would alleviate this unfair burden on parents from all backgrounds, some being disabled.

Statistics show that 30% of Romsey Abbey School parents have received fines in the last month alone, amounting to a significant financial burden on families already dealing with other expenses brought about by the rising cost of living. This enforcement of fines do not serve as a sustainable deterrent but rather as an additional stressor on honest communities striving to do their best.

We are calling upon Hampshire County Council to recognize and address this pressing issue by creating a parking permit system specifically for school hours around Romsey Abbey School. It is vital that we promote an empathetic and supportive environment for our children’s educational journey and for their parents’ peace of mind. 

Sign this petition to demand action from Hampshire County Council and support the creation of a dedicated parking permit system for parents during school times in Romsey! Together, we can initiate change and alleviate unnecessary stress and financial burden on our community’s families. Also to alleviate and abolish any existing parking fines distributed to parents within drop off & pick up times. ( suggestions welcome. Hoping for timed permits between 8.35am-9am & 3pm-3.30pm to allow adequate safe loading of vehicles with young tired children)