Whittington school run gridlock sparks safety fears
The main road through a village in Shropshire has become gridlocked during the school run after parents were prevented from using a pub car park – sparking fears of a serious accident.
Parents have started parking on the side of Station Road in Whittington, near Oswestry, to drop their children off at the primary school.
It has caused the road to become partially blocked at the start and end of the school day, with buses and other passing traffic having to mount the pavement to get past the parked cars.
The problem has developed after the car park at the closed Penrhos Arms pub – previously used as an unofficial drop-off site – was closed.
Now headteacher Sean Sibley has appealed for parents not to park on the road or pavements, saying alternative spaces are available at Whittington Castle and the Olde Boote Inn.
He said he feared there could be a serious accident unless people stopped parking on the main road. Several vehicles were seen mounting the pavements along Station Road yesterday as children returned to school after half term.
Mr Sibley said: "Sue Ellis from the castle and the landlord from the Olde Boote Inn have very kindly offered parents the use of their car parks before and after school. We are asking parents to use those car parks rather than risk a serious accident."
Parent Michael Budd said: "The area around the school is actually designated as a 20mph limit, although no-one takes a blind bit of notice.
"The road seems to be a particular magnet for HGVs at school run time."
Andrew Jones, from Milford Investments Ltd, owners of the Penrhos Arms, said: "Whilst the pub was trading, the car park was used by parents of children at Whittington school. However, the previous owners never gave any formal permission for its use and any use by non-customers was unauthorised.
"Our proposed redevelopment of the site is supported by the parish council with the access and parking having been accepted by Shropshire Council's highways department. This followed early discussions and presentations at two parish council meetings six months ago to ensure their concerns were addressed."
