Pupils at a Suffolk primary school have achieved keep clear markings after raising their concern that parents at the school were parking dangerously.

Four pupils at Stoke-by-Nayland Primary School, near Colchester, decided to take action after parents ignored the headteacher’s pleas to not park on the country lane outside the school.

The children, who aged 10 and 11 and are the school’s junior road safety officers, asked the school who they could go to for double yellow lines to be painted to stop people parking there.

The school then arranged for them to present their arguments at the village’s parish council to ask for double yellow lines in October last year.

The children returned to school after the summer holidays to find that school keep clear zig-zag markings had been painted on both sides of the street.

East Anglian Daily Times: Yellow markings have now appeared outside the school.Yellow markings have now appeared outside the school. (Image: Charlotte Bond)

Headteacher Kelly McGrath described how a couple of children have been hit by wingmirrors in traffic, and how the children were “nervous” about crossing the road on their own, as parked cars obscured the view.

Mrs McGrath said: “The school is along a country lane which has no pavements, and if parents park opposite the school gates there is only just enough room for another car.

"It was dangerous, but parents continued to park there because they could, despite the fact I had put the issue in the school newsletter for months.

East Anglian Daily Times: Vallie Jamieson and Jolie Moore year 6 students and junior road safety officers at Stoke-by-Nayland Primary School.Vallie Jamieson and Jolie Moore year 6 students and junior road safety officers at Stoke-by-Nayland Primary School. (Image: Charlotte Bond)

"The children felt that something needed to happen as the parents were not listening. They were very nervous about crossing the road on their own, especially our Year 5 and 6s, who are allowed to walk a bit further on their own.

“There is a huge car park attached to the village recreation ground opposite the school, so it’s not as though there isn’t somewhere to park. They just have to walk an extra two minutes.”

The parish council supported the school, and said they presented very well.

Mrs McGrath added: “The children were very excited to return to school after the holidays to find the lines painted, finding that going to the parish council meeting actually has an impact.

"They were very pleased and very proud that they have been listened to, and that they can see an impact.”