Derry MP Colum Eastwood has met with officials and three local schools to discuss traffic problems around drop-off and pick-up times.

The meetings involved Hollybush Primary School, Steelstown Primary School, and Bunscoil Cholmcille, along with Department for Infrastructure officials and Councillor Catherine McDaid.

Concerns raised included parking during busy periods and the effect on nearby residents. Eastwood said that in recent years there have been incidents at schools, including a pupil being knocked down without serious injury and residents being blocked into their driveways during medical emergencies.

Eastwood said teachers and staff are there to educate children, not mediate traffic issues. He noted that many schools across Derry are experiencing similar problems.

A number of proposals were discussed to address the traffic issues at these schools, including practical measures that could make a significant difference in both the short and long term.

Eastwood said he will write to the Minister and the Department to press for those measures to be delivered. He also said parents should take responsibility and make things as easy as possible for schools and the local community.

The schools he met with are seeing significant increases in pupil numbers, according to Eastwood, which makes it important to keep children safe and address the impact on residents living nearby.