The KM Group’s charity department has joined forces with councils and key agencies to improve safety at school gates across the county.

A collaboration of Canterbury City Council, Kent County Council (KCC), Kent Police, Kent Fire and Rescue Services, and the KM Charity Team has resulted in the new Think Park Smart toolkit for schools.

The project aims to support schools with issues arising from hazardous parking habits during peak school run times. Ongoing problems causing safety concerns include cars parked immediately outside school gates, on double yellow lines, on school zig-zag lines and on the pavement.

Simon Dolby, chief executive of the KM Charity Team, which runs the KM Walk to School campaign, was a key speaker at the official launch of Think Park Smart at the Guildhall in Canterbury. He was joined by other representatives of the scheme to discuss the issues being faced and hear examples of successful projects.

"Just a few small changes could make a big difference and help to prevent nasty accidents," he said. "Drivers should allow extra time to make their journey so they can park a little further away from the school. Or why not make the complete switch from driving to walking and cut the volume of cars jostling for space?"

The Think Park Smart toolkit contains practical suggestions for schools including walking buses, Walk on Wednesday (WOW) and school travel agreements. Schools are also advised to talk to the problem drivers and use junior road safety schemes where the pupils take a leading role.

Schools are being encouraged to try out the ideas and in 2016 there will be awards for the ones that have been most effectively implemented.

Chairman of Canterbury City Council’s Community Committee, Cllr Neil Baker, said: “We all know safety at the school gate is a real problem, with inconsiderate parents parking anywhere they want to just to get that little bit closer. It’s irresponsible and dangerous but it happens at every school.

“This toolkit gives schools lots of help to tackle the issue and it has been very well received. I’m looking forward to seeing some of the ideas being implemented in the coming months.”

KM Walk to School which includes the projects Walk on Wednesday (WOW), Active Bug and Road Safety Skill Tests, is supported by KCC, Medway Council, Ashford Borough Council, Maidstone Borough Council, Orbit South, Golding Vision (part of Golding Homes), Leeds Castle, Circle Housing Russet, Whitefriars shopping area, Safer Kent, Bexley Council, Eurostar, Specsavers, Three R’s Teacher Recruitment and Mini Babybel.

Find out more about KM Walk to School at www.kmwalktoschool.co.uk or by clicking here for Walk on Wednesday (WOW), here for Active Bug or here for Road Safety.