Neighbours torn as road closures solve their school-run nightmare by passing problem to others

An experiment which will see traffic barred from streets around schools will be great for those living there but could just move the problems of school-run congestion elsewhere, according to some of the residents who will benefit. Roads near three schools will be closed to traffic at drop-off and pick-up times after the summer holidays, Leicestershire County Council announced last month.

The four-week trial of the ‘school streets’ programme will take place at Belvoirdale Community Primary School in Coalville, Saint Luke’s Primary School in Thurnby, and the Latimer Primary School in Anstey. Residents in some of those streets told LeicestershireLive the move will be excellent for them – but some questioned whether the county council might just be ‘kicking the problem down the road’.

Linda Elton, who lives in Latimer Street, in Anstey, said she was ‘really happy’ about the scheme, but added she had concerns about congestion in the village. She said: “I think it will benefit the school because the cars just race up and down here. Also we’ve got parking bays but cars park in them that shouldn’t be in them.

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“So, I think it will be a good idea and keep the kids safe, but I just wonder if some of the parents might cause congestion elsewhere.” She added there might be knock-on effects for businesses as customers might struggle to get to them.

Police were deployed to Latimer Primary School last year to keep an eye on parents dropping their children off at the school gates after reports of bad parking. While they didn’t see any problems while they were there, they issued a warning to parents not to park dangerously near to the school.

Similarly, a resident of Scotlands Road, in Coalville, questioned whether the scheme might just ‘pass the burden’ onto other streets. He added: “It’ll be nice they’re not here but people on Berrisford Street and Bridge Road will get it now. It’s just kicking the problem down the road.”

“It’s about time,” a second Scotlands Road resident added, “I can’t believe that something hasn’t been done before about it as it’s ruined the street. I’m not sure it’ll do much though as people will still find a way to park here.”

Other residents were more positive about the scheme, however, saying the current waves of parents driving up and down, and parking in, their streets is a ‘nuisance and a pain’. Another resident of Scotlands Road said: “It will be a relief. It’s been a real nightmare along here for so long and I’ve been blocked from getting out of my driveway because of people parking here.

“It may only be for a couple of hours a day but it’s a real nuisance and pain. I think all of us along here will be welcome, especially those who live next to the school.”

A man who lives in Latimer Street, echoed this sentiment, saying it would definitely be a good thing for residents. He said: “At the moment, when the cars are all parked there, sometimes they park in this drive and we can’t get in.”

He added congestion was already an issue in the town, and some steps are being taken – such as moving the bus stops – to help tackle it.

The scheme will take place place from Tuesday, August 30 to the end of September. Latimer Street, in Anstey, will be closed from 8am to 9.15am and again at 2.15pm to 3.45pm.

Main Street in Thurnby, where St Luke’s Primary School is located, will see its junctions with Grange Lane and Hollies Way closed between 8am and 9.15am and again at 2.30pm to 4pm. Scotlands Road, leading to Belvoirdale Primary School, will also be closed between 8am and 9.15am and 2.15pm and 3.45pm.

The county council has said residents who live in the affected streets will still have access. They will need to apply for a free permit from the Choose How You Move website later in the summer.

It is also hoping to implement a ‘park and stride’ scheme near to each school, which could help ease the burden on surrounding streets by setting out a route for families to walk, scoot or wheel to school safely.

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