SHOCKED: Samantha Simon, who has multiple sclerosis, with her son George outside Christchurch Junior School where a car mounted the kerb and nearly knocked them down while they were on their way to the infant school round the corner

A MOTHER says a car came close to knocking down her son outside a Christchurch school despite special efforts to provide off-site parking.

Samantha Simon was walking six-year-old son George to Christchurch Infants when the car pulled up on the school run.

She says it came from behind them, cut across them and drove up on to the pavement.

"The car came close to knocking George over," said Samantha, 33, who uses a mobility scooter because she has multiple sclerosis.

"He was shaken up - he went really quiet and withdrawn. There was a mum in the car but she stayed firmly locked in.

"I just grabbed my son and thought That was close'. People see the space and they don't think of the dangers for the children. It's really dangerous for children to cross the road outside the school." The Daily Echo has been highlighting dangerous school run parking across the area for more than a year.

Christchurch Infants has made great efforts to stop parents fighting for space.

They can drop children off at nearby retailers like Homebase, Serendipity Sams and Peeks Party Store.

Headteacher Jane Ashenden said: "We support Samantha Simpson's concerns. The school has done all we can and now it's down to individuals and the local community.

"The retailers have been really good. And we would love to see the council parking attendants coming more.

"We've had no injuries so far, but we share parents' concerns about people who park - and drive - inconsiderately."

Christchurch Borough Council has announced a crackdown on parents who park on zig-zags outside schools from April.

7:00pm Friday 7th March 2008

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