A NEW campaign is aiming to put the brakes on reckless school run parking and protect schoolchildren from danger.

Parents who ignore waiting restrictions outside school premises could face being hit with a fine of £70.

St Helens Council aims to combat selfish and unsafe parking which often endangers pupils.

Nationally nearly 1,200 children a month are involved in collisions within 500 metres of a school’s gates.

Now every school in the borough is in line for spot checks designed to ensure parents and carers are observing the yellow ‘school – keep clear’ road markings outside the school gates.

A large amount of complaints have been made to the council from parents who have witnessed drivers ignoring the markings.

During the academic year, each school will also receive leaflets entitled ‘Cars and kids don’t mix’ which will highlight the problem of parking outside schools.

The new project was launched at Sherdley Primary School, which was instrumental in its creation.

Acting head teacher at the school Carol Robertson said: “I’m really proud that Sherdley pupils have been instrumental in this.”

Year 6 pupil Jade Goulding added: “The leaflet is very visual because it is like a warning triangle and bright with lots of important information.”

Councillor Seve Gomez Aspron, cabinet member for environment and neighbourhoods, said: “It is time for drivers to start taking this issue more seriously, if only to keep our children safe.”

The new move is a joint initiative between the council’s road safety and parking services sections.