The headteachers of three Lichfield primary schools have warned that parking restrictions could have implications for the safety and learning of pupils.
Staffordshire County Council is drawing up plans to introduce no waiting zones and timed-limited parking on Cherry Orchard, Hazel Grove and Wiltell Road.
Cllr Terry Finn, Conservative representative for Lichfield South, has proposed the scheme claiming it would improve safety for children.
But a letter signed by the headteachers of Five Spires Academy, St Joseph’s RC Primary School and St Michael’s Primary School has warned that safety could actually be compromised if the plans go ahead.
“Whilst we understand the difficulties, we are concerned about how safe it will be for 700 pupils in total to be delivered and collected from schools.”
Helen Bye, Dee McLeary and Helen McKay have penned the letter of objection as part of the consultation.
And they have also warned that the parking restrictions could impact on teaching and learning.
“This proposal will impact on punctuality,” they added. “How can we foster parent relationships through assemblies and parent workshops if they cannot park on the road or in the surrounding area?
“We do have some parents travelling from as far as Fradley so what impact will this have on them?”
Cllr Finn has previously offered to meet with the headteachers if they had concerns over the proposal, after warning that opponents had been listening to “myths and rumours”.
And he has insisted that his proposals will improve safety.
“I put in a parking scheme two years ago,” he said. “We’ve now had another school there so it has had to be refreshed.
“I’m trying to relieve a road that in the morning and evening has many people coming with their cars to bring the children to and from school.
“This is being done for the safety of the children and to give residents relief from people who park there all day long.
“There’s a lot of myths and rumours – people aren’t sitting down and reading what is being done on their behalf – I am doing my utmost to make it easier and safer for children by bringing in specialised parking.”
The county council has also come in for criticism of its decision to propose the new parking restrictions following its decision to grant permission for Five Spires Academy to open – the third school on Cherry Orchard.
Parents had raised concerns that an increased number of children, combined with a reduced number of spaces, would lead to them having to drop children off in the middle of the road.
“That school [Five Spires Academy] only has 35 or so children at the moment and will rise to a maximum of just over 200,” Cllr Finn said.
“It’s the responsibility of parents to ensure children get to school safely and make sure they aren’t jumping out of the car if they aren’t in a parking space.”
