Resident demands action over ‘dangerous’ school run congestion in Barkingside

Lizzie Dearden Thursday, November 8, 2012
4:39 PM

A Barkingside resident is warning that parents parking in residential roads to drop children off at school are putting people in danger.

Gary Fall, of Aintree Crescent, spoke to Redbridge Council’s Area Three Committee at the Hainault Forest Community Association in Manford Way last night.

He said: “About 90 per cent of the problem with congestion is because of parents and guardians dropping children off at Clore Tikva Jewish Primary School.

“Children are forced to walk in the road because people pull up on the pavements where the road is narrow.

“Cars are coming down the road head to head and flying around the crescent.

“They can’t get around each other so one has to back up.

“I’ve seen people nearly fighting before and if an accident doesn’t happen, someone will get hurt in another way.”

Rubbish collection vehicles have also reportedly having difficulty getting down the road because of congestion during the morning school run.

The committee agreed to investigate the situation further to find options to improve traffic flow.

Engineering and building officer Matthew Gray expressed concerns that restrictions in Aintree Crescent would push the problem into nearby Fullwell Avenue and Greystone Gardens.

Cllr David Poole suggested residents’ parking permits.

He added: “As much as I’m loath to make residents pay more, it’s one way of stopping parents parking.”

But Mr Fall objected, saying permits would “punish residents for parking in their own road”.

He would prefer double or single yellow lines and a one-way system to be introduced instead to improve the flow of traffic.

Cllr Harold Moth said other roads near Clore Tikva, in Fullwell Avenue, experience similar problems.

He added: “Fair Oak Place is the next road but it’s unadopted so we can’t impose any restrictions without the agreement of every resident.

“Action needs to be taken but any consultation would need to include a wider area outside Aintree Crescent.”

The issues will be discussed at a future meeting.