The councillor behind a new parking scheme which will see restrictions outside three Lichfield schools has said the safety of children will be improved.
The controversial proposal will see Cherry Orchard and surrounding roads have no waiting restrictions introduced at pick-up and collection times.
Some parents have criticised the move for putting additional pressure on the already congested area outside St Michael’s Primary School, St Joseph’s Primary School and the Five Spires Academy.
But Cllr Terry Finn, Conservative county councillor for Lichfield South, said those opposing the plan were hearing “myths and rumours” rather than facts.
“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.
“What we’re going to do is introduce this scheme to create areas where there will be no parking so parents will have spaces to pick up and go instead of blocking the road.
“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.”
Back in 2014, a number of local residents and parents had opposed the decision by Staffordshire County Council to build the Five Spires Academy alongside the two existing primary schools on Cherry Orchard.
But Cllr Finn has insisted the area needed additional places.
“The problem is that there hasn’t been a school built in Lichfield South for many years, yet that’s where all the new housing development is coming, so we had to be ahead of the game and have a school there,” he said.
“There are plans to build other schools on some of the new developments, but we just have to accomodate children needing places.
“The ideal thing would be more children walking to school.”
Cllr Finn said suggestions that the additional places at Five Spires Academy had caused additional pressure on parking spaces was not necessarily correct.
He added that parents had the ultimate responsibility to make sure children got to school safely.
“That school only has 35 or so children at the moment and will rise to a maximum of just over 200,” he said.
“I’m working with highways officers to improve safety of children and wellbeing and parents and local residents.
“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.
“I am happy to meet with the headteachers if they want me to explain the decision to them.”
