‘An accident waiting to happen!’ – Parents’ concern about traffic congestion at primary school

PARENTS of pupils at Forest & Sandridge Primary School have warned that traffic congestion outside the school is an “accident waiting to happen”.

Parents say that vehicles are mounting and driving on the pavement on Cranesbill Road; and that traffic is backing up on to the bypass because of the restricted access to the school. And they have raised concerns that the primary school’s plan to increase the size of the school – which is currently under consultation – could exacerbate the problem. 

They have also criticised Wiltshire Council for allowing the school to be built without proper consideration given to access to the school, both for pedestrians and vehicles.

A single yellow line has recently been painted on Cranesbill Road by Wiltshire Council to prevent parking and waiting on the road, but parents say more needs to be done, suggesting that “derelict land” next to the school could be used to create new access to the school.

“I am genuinely concerned for the safety of my children as a parent from the school,” said one parent. “There is only one road in and out of the school with about 500 children at the school and one car park at the Co-op supermarket. The car park is obviously used for businesses also, so there is limited parking for potentially hundreds of parents.

“The school has continued to ask parents to drive and park safely and walk where you can. But this is obviously not possible for everyone due to where they live, health/disability or work commitments.

“This is not just a problem for parents as I know there can be tension between residents and parents at times but both are at fault for inconsiderate driving at times – including delivery or utility/work drivers. 

“But even when everyone drives carefully there is a problem. The area is not big enough for a school on a bend with limited parking and one way in and out. This leads to backlogs of traffic that at times goes back right to the bypass and leaves people stuck in the Co-op car park.

“This leads to safety issues walking along the path. I myself have seen so many cars drive along the path behind me, toward me and my child (this is parents, delivery drivers and residents), which I’m not defending, but at times there’s nowhere else to go to allow traffic to move. 

“And now with Covid restrictions it’s even more dangerous as parents are waiting around by the road for siblings to come out as pick up and drop off is staggered and parents are not allowed on school grounds. 

“The school can ask parents continually as many times as it wants but it cannot control delivery drivers etc, and those that do not belong to the school.

“I fear this is an accident waiting to happen. The council need to do more than paint a yellow line. There is derelict land next to the school so ample opportunity to develop this with a path directly into the school or allowing and entry and exit road allowing for traffic to free flow. 

“We now have noticed that the school has put in an application to expand. I fear this is due to the amount of houses being built – they obviously need school spaces with all the Melksham primary schools full to the brim already. 

“The council needs to be held accountable for this. Why did they think allowing a primary school on a residential area with limited parking was a good idea? 

“The problem is just going to get worse and the council needs to come up with solutions no excuses.”

Interim headteacher at Forest & Sandridge Primary School, Helen Biles-Wood, told Melksham News, “We are aware of the issues raised by parents and we are working on ways to make improvements going forward. As part of the potential extension project, which is currently under consultation, we are considering the options available to us to improve drop off and pick up arrangements.

“Details about the proposal have been published on the website and sent to members of our school community. The consultation period has now ended, and we would like to thank parents and other stakeholders for their contributions.”

Wiltshire Council was also approached for comment.