Cars have been BANNED outside our homes as school run parents abuse us so much

RESIDENTS have told how cars have been banned outside their homes because school run parents give them so much abuse.

Parents of Guardian Angels Primary School, in Bury, Greater Manchester have been banned from driving on Melrose Avenue to stop locals and motorists from clashing over parking spaces.

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A ‘School Street’ has been set up, so the road outside the entrance remains traffic free during pick up and drop off times.

Residents on the road had demanded action due to the endless “chaos” caused by vehicles “racing” to park as close to the gates as possible during peak morning and afternoon drop off and pick-up times.

The issue became so serious police often had to be called to control the flow of traffic after heated clashes between residents and motorists.

But some residents and parents have questioned the usefulness of the scheme saying it is “just for show” and will make little difference.

At pick-up time on Tuesday people could be seen getting around the ban by parking dangerously on street corners – as close to the school as possible – so they had the least distance to walk.

Residents described how past traffic congestion and parking problems had sometimes led to angry confrontations with “inconsiderate” motorists.

One, who didn’t wish to be named, said parking was so bad she’d had to convert her front garden into a driveway to provide space for her car.

But people would then enter her driveway with their vehicles – and refuse to move.

She told The Sun: “A few got really abusive. One woman swore at me after blocking the driveway and got so angry she rushed a three-point turn and nearly hit a child.

“She kept saying, ‘It’s a free world I can park where I want.”

The woman said “time would tell” whether the ‘School Street’ was the solution because not all parents were in favour of it.

George Bennett, 74, who’s lived on the street for 20 years, said: “It was just chaos before, absolutely ridiculous.

“Cars used to race to get as close to the gates as possible. It was always the same people who didn’t want to park further away.

“They would also leave their cars running so the fumes built up.

“Our driveway would frequently get blocked, so it was impossible to go anywhere in the car at times.”

He added: “The difference now is unbelievable.

“But we’ll see if it lasts, the problem is some just don’t like parking their cars further away and having to walk.”

Teaching assistant Leanne Hodgson, 39, who’d set up a barrier on Tuesday afternoon so the road remained traffic free, said the scheme was a “great idea”.

She said: ‘It used to be really dangerous for the children, especially because its a cul-de-sac and cars would need to reverse to get out

“Sometimes the police had be called to control the flow of traffic.”

“I think the ‘School Street’ will encourage more people to walk to school and will lead to health benefits for the children though lower traffic fumes.”

Vehicles are banned between 8am-8.45am and 2.15pm-3.30pm, although the road is open to pedestrians, cyclists and exempt vehicles such as blue badge holders.

‘Park and stride’ areas have also been set up a distance away from school for those who live further than walking distance.

Mother-of-three Charlotte Pitchforth, who has two children at the school, Kairi 7 and Ezra, 4, described the scheme as “brilliant”.

“The parking issues led to a lot of anger. It was all a bit mad and chaotic before.”

But others were less supportive of the scheme.

One parent, who didn’t wish to be named, said: “They picked the wrong street.

“Leigh Lane which runs alongside the school is much more dangerous and gets even more traffic. 

“The whole point was the safety of kids, but people double-park and cause other hazards.”

“I don’t think it has anything to do with air quality either. I’ve asked the school and the council if they’ve carried out tests and had no answers.”

Head teacher Damian Arthur said all parties were consulted about the scheme after “near misses with children” and “occasional bumps and scrapes” of residents’ cars due to tight turning spaces.

“Having the area outside the school vehicle free is not only safer, it means the air is cleaner and it also supports our drive for more children to walk to school.” he said.

The initiative is a partnership between the school, Bury Council, Living Streets and Transport for Greater Manchester with the hope more children will walk or cycle to classes.

It’s also backed by Greater Manchester’s active travel commissioner, 14-time Paralympic gold medallist  Dame Sarah Storey.

Counclllor Alan Quinn, Bury Council cabinet member for the environment, climate change and operations, said: “School streets cut traffic and congestion outside schools, which will help to keep our children safe.

“The air quality will also improve thanks to the reduction in engines idling during busy drop-off and pick-up times.”