Councillors working to alleviate traffic congestion around schools in Middleton

Following a number of complaints from local residents, Middleton councillors are working to alleviate the traffic congestion that is building up around schools in the Middleton area during peak times.

Speaking to Rochdale Online, Councillor Phil Burke said: “Following concerns raised by residents, we are working with the council to get something done. Children’s safety is our number one priority and this situation is a nightmare.”

The current area of concern for residents is outside of St Mary's RC Primary School, Wood Street. Residents often witness parents dropping their children off at school directly outside of the school gate, which causes problems.

Local resident Tony Ettenfield, who has lived on the Langley estate for 20 years, said: “One morning I looked out of the window and saw that the one of busses that uses this route was stuck because of where the cars had parked and the fact that another bus was coming in the other direction, the driver couldn’t do anything except reverse back.

“The problems are in the morning and in the afternoon when the parents are taking their kids to school and picking their kids up. For some reason they won’t use the car park. It is just laziness.”

Andy Mills added: “Inconsiderate parking is causing a lot of problems.”

Another resident said: “It seems to be a big problem at most schools. At Little Heaton, not only do they park on zig zags but they block pavements and in the mornings, when dropping children off, they park on and pull up on the zebra crossings, because it's near to the school gates.”

The route is already heavily congested. Wood Street is currently used by a number of bus routes as well as the school's service. Councillor Burke is looking for metal fencing to be installed from the area outside of the school gate on Wood Street down to the bus stop in an attempt to stop people from parking.

Metal fencing and bollards have already been placed near to Bowlee Park School following traffic incidents in that area.

He added: “We have had to do it in other areas and it is helping. The complaints have gone down but they haven’t stopped just yet. We are doing something but we have to go through the right channels to do it.”

The following works have been planned and will take place on the following dates:

• Langley Lane, Middleton – road markings - to commence 19 October 2015 (weather dependent).
• St Mary’s Primary School, Langley, Middleton – railings installed - to commence 5 October 2015.
• Windermere Road, Middleton – knee high fencing installed - to follow on from the completion St Mary’s School fencing.