New way to tackle school run traffic

MUMS on the school run will have to find new parking places or walk with their children from September as new measures are to be put in place to improve safety on a village's main street.

Parents have been blamed for causing chaos and danger outside Trimley St Mary Primary School and community leaders have been pressing for parking restrictions.

Cars block driveways and narrow High Road to one lane at dropping off and picking up times, and children have been seen getting out of cars and running across the road.

Parish councillors say the congestion and danger has “gone beyond a joke” and, working with highways chiefs, have drawn up a scheme to prevent parking in the area.

The new restrictions were advertised and a county council spokeswoman said there were no objections.

“Letters have been given to parents and everyone is now aware this work is to take place,” she said.

“We will be putting the measures in during August so they come into force for the new academic year. The aim is to make a safer area around the school.”

There will be a no waiting zone opposite the school between 8am and 9.30am and 3pm and 4.30pm each day to stop all parking.

Bus stop boxes are to be extended with 24 metres of markings, which will prevent all parking in these areas between 7am and 7pm, and 15 metres of double yellow lines will be put around each side of the Station Road junction.

Parish councillors hope the measures will work and remove the need for double yellow lines along the whole problem area. They are asking the village's beat bobbies to enforce the restrictions when they come into force.

Traffic counts by councillors found an average of 45 vehicles parked outside the school and many more in Station Road when parents collect their youngsters at the end of the school day.

What do you think about the restrictions - will it affect you? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN, or e-mail EveningStarLetters@eveningstar.co.uk