We are delighted to report that the proposed ‘No Waiting At Any Time (Monday – Friday / 7.00am – 7.00pm) have been dropped after the high number of responses to the consultation led by Staffordshire County Council over the Christmas holidays.
Sandeep Aheer, Senior Transport Planner at the Staffordshire Design Hub, contacted the school to explain that he recognises that “it is important that we communicate effectively” and that he “appreciated all of the responses from local residents and parents of pupils that attend The Friary School”.
He went on: “With the consultation now complete and the responses analysed, I am able to inform you that the large majority of responses were not in support of the proposed waiting restrictions as represented in the planning application”.
Clearly, The Friary School believes this is a better outcome for the parents and local residents and the overwhelming proportion of feedback we have received supports this view. Even so, we still have the issue of blue-light departures from the police station so close to the school crossing that questions initial planning considerations.
Equally, there remains concern over parking on the school forecourt area, particularly at the end of the day, and negotiations continue with Lichfield District Council and Staffordshire County Council over ensuring the school car-parks and driveways are maintained to a good standard.
Matt Allman, Headteacher, said: “We have hugely appreciated the widespread support for our motion against the parking restrictions, and would ask parents to extend this backing with their continued care for road safety around the school, awareness of police access from their site’s driveway, and to maintain all respect for local residents. Any large secondary school – especially with students who have to travel from outlying, rural areas – is going to have pressure points and it is only by working together that we can make these times as safe and calm as possible.”
The full response for Staffordshire County Council to the school over the consultation exercise can be read here.
