We, as a group of sixth form students, are collectively opposing the proposed parking restrictions around The FitzWimarc School in Rayleigh. 

Due to a lack of on site parking for faculty and students, all sixth form students that drive to school rely on on street parking or Fairview Car Park (with a maximum capacity of 80 spaces according to local media). With a sixth form of 320 students, many of whom travel in from outside of the catchment area due to a lack of further education provision in the area, it is entirely unreasonable for the council to expect us to find alternative parking when the only option is Bellingham Lane which is a paid, long stay car park which is not a sustainable financial option for 17 and 18 year olds (as the suitable other car park, Websters Way, is a maximum 4 hour stay).

Crucially, the proposed 'solution' does not solve anything, as it provides no alternative, and only displaces the problem further away from the school. Furthermore, enforcing the proposed restrictions, does not guarantee the problem will be solved as it does not cover the entire working day. The proposed permit scheme is not equitable inasmuch as the cost of the permit would be inaccessible to many local residents. 

The current parking arrangements have operated without causing significant issues for local residents. While vehicles are parked along the road during school hours, this is expected near a school and has not resulted in property damage, obstruction of driveways or safety incidents. If these restrictions are introduced, it will force students to park further away, causing problems concerning attendance and punctuality and shifting the problem to residents who live nowhere near the school. 

The first indication of these restrictions were found on the morning of 03/03/26 by students parking legally to fulfill their obligation to attend full-time education. Further increasing the number of roads with parking restrictions surrounding the school would have a negative impact on students, staff, families and the wider community, and therefore we urge the council to ensure that reasonable parking arrangements are made for those who truly require them.

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