Children’s parents at Nottingham’s nursery and primary schools have attacked the school after road restrictions were placed by the council.
The traffic chaos around St Augustine’s Catholic school and nursery on Park Avenue forced Nottingham City Council to put planters in place to stop motorists becoming gridlocked.
Residents and parents have claimed that the problem is due to the road’s narrow layout. They have requested parking permits in fear of a child being ‘hit’.
Children attending St Augustine’s Catholic School and Nursery in Nottingham spoke out about how the traffic jams in their area are ‘hell for them’.
Nottingham City Council has put planters into place to reduce congestion and traffic in their School Streets program (pictured).
As part of the School Streets initiative, they set up these planters to help make traveling safer and more sustainable for local residents.
One woman stated that the traffic was bad because of people’s rush to get to school. The residents must go through hell. One day, a child is going to be killed.
Nottinghamshire Live was told by Sheri: “I really hope that it does.” However, I am not positive it will. Although the school does everything it can, it is still very bad.
The Catholic school of St Augustine also stated that they were ‘concerned for the safety and well-being of children during pick-ups and drops-off.
The school spokesperson said that St Augustine’s school was located in an area with dense residential areas. School officials are concerned that pupils may park in the parking lot after they have been dropped off and picked up.
“We will continue to work closely with local authorities, parents and other concerned parties in order to protect the safety and well-being of all our students.”
Residents and parents have stated that the problems are due to the road’s narrow layout and the impatient drivers.
Par Kumaraswami, aged 57, said that he is always worried about the safety and well-being of children when they attend school. There’s also a nearby nursery.
The council earmarked 15 Nottingham schools for traffic measures in March and residents were told they would receive traffic packs in the post, which provide information about local walking and cycling opportunities.
Transport councillor Rosemary Healy, who is Portfolio Holder for Transport at the city council, said: ‘Last year the city council was awarded £2.5 million from the Government’s Active Travel Fund for measures designed to encourage walking and cycling.
“We used a portion of the funds to establish car-free school streets. We closed all roads just outside schools gates in order to make it safer for parents, caregivers and children to bike, walk or cycle to school.
Children are especially vulnerable to exhaust fumes and air pollution, therefore cleaner air is a bonus.
‘Unfortunately, some people don’t know the restrictions. And we can’t always be at the school every day. However, Park Avenue shows the traffic problems caused by congestion around drop-off and pick-up times.
“The school supports parents who cycle and walk their children to school and has taken many initiatives.
MailOnline reached out to Nottingham City Council in order for them to comment.