Driver narrowly misses pedestrians outside Cumbrian school after speeding off in van
A driver narrowly missed pedestrians outside an unnamed school in Cumbria after jumping into a van, revving the engine loudly and speeding off.
The incident was witnessed by Cumberland councillor Denise Rollo while she was with highways staff looking into parking problems outside schools. She told a council highways and transport meeting that people nearby could have been hit if they had not jumped out of the way.
The incident was captured on CCTV, but the focus is now on the behaviour outside the school and the wider safety concerns faced by council staff and members of the public.
Councillor raises school safety concern
Councillor Rollo, who represents Harrington for Labour, told members of Cumberland Council’s highways and transport strategic board about the incident during a health and safety update.
She had been with highways staff because concerns had already been raised about parking issues outside schools.
While at the location, she saw the driver get into the van, rev the vehicle and drive off at speed. The van narrowly missed pedestrians outside the school.
Cllr Rollo said she was asking police to investigate the matter.
People had to move out of the way
The most serious concern is that people outside the school had to move to avoid being hit.
Although no injuries have been reported in the information currently available, the incident could have ended very differently.
School streets are already busy at drop-off and pick-up times. They often include children, parents, carers, school staff, residents, parked cars and moving traffic all using a small space at the same time.
Any sudden or aggressive driving in that setting can put people at risk.
Part of wider abuse faced by council staff
The incident was raised as part of a wider discussion about abuse and threats aimed at council workers.
Karl Melville, Cumberland Council’s assistant director of highways and transport, told the meeting there had been 90 recorded incidents of verbal and physical abuse involving council staff.
He said the authority was working with police to improve the situation and that precautions were being put in place.
The issue affects staff carrying out everyday public-facing work, including highways teams, traffic wardens and enforcement officers.
Council says abuse should not be tolerated
Councillor Roger Dobson, who represents Corby and Hayton for the Liberal Democrats, said the abuse came from a minority of residents but should not be tolerated.
Councillor Barbara Cannon, Labour member for St Michael’s and portfolio holder for financial planning and assets, also raised concern about the way some people speak to and threaten staff.
The comments come after previous concerns about abuse toward council workers, including an incident in Whitehaven where a civil enforcement officer was assaulted while trying to issue a parking ticket.
School parking remains a sensitive issue
Parking and traffic outside schools can be a difficult issue for councils to manage.
Parents and carers often want to get close to school gates, but poor parking can block roads, reduce visibility and make crossing more dangerous for children.
Highways staff and councillors may be asked to look at restrictions, enforcement, safer routes, signs or changes to road layouts. However, those discussions can sometimes lead to tension with drivers and residents.
This latest incident shows how quickly a parking or traffic issue outside a school can turn into a serious safety concern.
Police investigation expected
Cllr Rollo said she was asking police to investigate.
No further details have been released about the driver, the vehicle or whether any formal action has been taken.
The incident is likely to add pressure for stronger action around school gate safety, as well as better protection for council staff who deal with road safety, highways and enforcement issues across Cumberland.
