Stoke-on-Trent Implements School Run Vehicle Ban on Turner Street to Combat Dangerous Congestion and Improve Safety

School run vehicles have now been banned from parking on Turner Street, a decision that follows months of complaints from local residents who’ve described the congestion during pick-up times as a ‘car crash waiting to happen.’

The road, located in Northwood, Stoke, has long been a headache for residents and teachers at Co-op Academy Grove, with many drivers speeding down the street and dangerously parking in ways that obstruct traffic.

New Regulations in Effect

The ban, introduced by Stoke-on-Trent City Council, has been enforced starting from January 6, 2025, during peak school hours: 8am to 9:30am and 2:15pm to 3:45pm on weekdays when school is in session.

This restriction applies to all parents picking up or dropping off their children, with the intention of easing the chaos surrounding the school run.

While this will alleviate pressure for residents, certain exempt vehicles and local businesses will still be allowed to access Turner Street during these times.

A Welcome Change for Residents

The new regulation comes as a relief for long-time residents who have struggled with the ongoing parking issues.

Billy Swift, a Turner Street resident, shared his frustration: “Parking is terrible.

You can’t get in and out, and teachers park on the street as well.

I welcome this initiative.

It should make it safer for the children.”

Other neighbors, like Maureen Oakley, echoed similar concerns. “When we need to go to the doctor or the hospital, we can’t even park in front of our own house,” she explained.

“The school-run cars block everything.”

Concerns of Displaced Problems

Though the new initiative aims to address the problem on Turner Street, there are concerns that it will only push the congestion into nearby streets.

Pamela Peach, a resident of Rawlins Street, voiced her fears: “The surrounding streets will suffer.

It will just move the problem elsewhere.

We’ll have the same issue as Turner Street.”

Streets like Avoca and Myatt Street, also in close proximity to Co-op Academy Grove, have similarly been designated as “School Streets,” but it’s unclear whether the issue will simply shift to these locations.

School’s Support for the Change

The decision to implement these restrictions comes after years of pressure from Co-op Academy Grove.

Shirley Carrigan, the headteacher, praised the initiative, calling the streets surrounding the school “a real hazard” due to the high number of parked cars.

“The streets are very congested during drop-off and collection times,” she said.

“It causes real hazards for anyone crossing the roads.”

The school had been working closely with the City Council for years, trying various measures to address the issue, but unsafe parking remained a persistent problem.

Aiming for a Safer Environment

The ultimate goal of the “School Streets” initiative is to create safer, cleaner streets for students and families.

Not only does the plan aim to reduce the risks of traffic accidents, but it’s also designed to improve air quality around the school gates.

With this plan, Stoke-on-Trent City Council hopes to reduce congestion and make the area more pedestrian and cyclist-friendly during the busy school run.

Looking Ahead

While the scheme has been met with both praise and some skepticism, its future implementation across 10 other city streets aims to bring about significant changes.

For now, residents of Turner Street and surrounding areas hope that these measures will finally lead to safer streets and a more manageable environment during school hours.

This article was published on TDPel Media. Thanks for reading!

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