BOLLARDS in the shape of children could be introduced to tackle a long-standing parking problem outside a Derby school.

Asterdale Primary School is being considered by Derby City Council to pilot a scheme which would see the concrete bollards placed outside its gates.

Billy and Belinda Bollard, as they are known, have helped to reduce the number of accidents where they have been introduced in other parts of the country.

The idea is that they alert motorists that they are near a school and stop cars from pulling up on the pavement.

If Asterdale Primary School, in Borrowash Road, Spondon, is chosen, it would be the first in the city to try out the idea.

Stan Werbinski, city council road safety manager, said: "Asterdale Primary is one school we are considering to trial Billy and Belinda.

"The school has had a long-standing problem with traffic, not just from people who park outside the school, but also from traffic coming off the A52.

"The new financial year starts in April and we will have to see what funding is available before we take things forward."

The one-metre-high concrete figures cost about £300 each and can be painted in the colours of a school's uniform.

But retired sales representative Mike Mollart, who lives in Borrowash Road, opposite Asterdale Primary School, believes that some parents are to blame for the parking problems.

The 68-year-old said: "Last Wednesday it was absolutely ridiculous, complete chaos.

"The entire road was snarled up from the A52 to well over 100 yards past the school the other way.

"Half of the people who brings their kids to school live locally – it's only a 10-minute walk for their children."

Head teacher at Asterdale Primary, Cliff Perry, said he was working hard to find a solution to the traffic and parking problems in Borrowash Road.

He said: "We have people coming to do a traffic survey from the highways department in the next couple of weeks and we are hopeful that we will be chosen as the pilot school for the bollards. It would be good if we are successful."

Bollards were erected about three years ago outside Walter Halls Primary and Nursery School in Mapperley, Nottingham.

Head teacher Peter Strauss said he thought they did work.

"I think they have had an impact on slowing the traffic down as it passes because they warn drivers there are children nearby.

"Drivers are used to seeing signs but not the bollards.

"What they don't stop is parents from parking irresponsibly outside."