Road Rage (From Penarth Times)

Road Rage

PENARTH parents have declared the area surrounding Stanwell School as a danger zone due to the constant congestion from parked cars in nearby roads at peak times.

Timothy Gould, of Salisbury Avenue said: "I am a resident in property adjoining Stanwell school, and a parent of two children attending the school. It is a health and safety nightmare."

Mr Gould added: "During one recent log jam my wife eventually telephoned me to say she could not get home. She had been stationary in the car for more than ten minutes just beyond the end of our street."

He claimed that the problem is entirely of Stanwell School's making, and is within their power to solve.

Every week day, the roads around the junction of Archer Road and Salisbury Avenue are reduced to a single lane by the parking of pupils' cars.

He estimated that between 15 and 20 pupils' cars are parked within 100 yards of the school's entrance.

The staff also insist on all cars and pupils entering via the same entrance, part way along a residential cul-de-sac.

Mr Gould said: "Of course any access in a residential cul-de-sac involves vehicles turning around and meeting other vehicles coming in. This, together with the narrowing of the road through sixth-form parking, equals gridlock."

"The school appears to be so focused on security that it has ignored safety. The school policy isn't only anti-social to its neighbours, parents should be aware that school policy is putting children in danger."

Local resident Mrs Monaghan, of Archer Road, has three young children. She does not leave the house between 3-4pm, when parents are collecting their children from the school, because it is so busy.

Stanwell School declined to comment on the issues raised by Mr Gould.

A Vale of Glamorgan spokesman said: "While we are not aware of any problem, we would be happy to look at any new issues and monitor the situation if required."