Officials are calling for action over ‘shocking’ parking at a Shifnal primary school.
Concerns over ‘inconsiderate parking’ near St Andrew’s School, on Park Lane, will be discussed at tonight’s meeting of the town council after residents complained that the problem is getting worse.
It is claimed that parents are clogging up the road when dropping off and picking up youngsters and there are fear of an accident waiting to happen.
One Park Lane resident, who preferred not to be named, said: “The parking situation is absolutely shocking.
“People park in front of the Brimstree Drive junction, all the way down to the bend. Cars can’t pass, people can’t get out of their own homes and visibility is severely hampered. “It is sheer chaos and really dangerous – so much so that I won’t let my daughter ride her bike to school.”
Elaine Grant, Brimstree Drive resident, said: “It has got progressively worse over the years. “I have never known the parking as bad as it is now. “I pulled into Park Lane and it was ridiculas. Somebody wouldn’t give way and tempers were high.
“My fear has always been if anybody needs an ambulance or fire engine no-one would get through in time.
“Something needs to be done before there is an accident.”
Community Support Officer Steven Breese said he spoke to the headtacher last week to request extending zig zag lines outside the school.
“It’s more a problem with inconsiderate parking,” he said. “It is quite a narrow road and people get impatient and tempers get a bit flared.”
St Andrew’s headteacher Adrian Marsh said he is also concerned and has contacted Shropshire County Council.
“We have tried to do things such as a walking bus, walk to school initiatives, cycling and encouraging children in all sorts of ways.
“But the school is very popular and takes children from a wide ranging area. Sixty per cent of children don’t live in the catchment area.
“There hasn’t been an accident or near accident reported but that doesn’t mean to say it isn’t dangerous.
“Somebody needs to realise this is an accident waiting to happen.
“In an ideal world we would have a crossing lady at the main road. Somebody to keep an eye on the children coming out of school.”
Mr Marsh is now calling for volunteers to help with the walking bus in a bid to reduce traffic.
“We are just desperate for volunteers,” he said.
To volunteer at the school call 01952 460226.