School-operated vehicles have been banned from Turner Street in Northwood, Stoke-on-Trent, following resident complaints about dangerous congestion during pick-up times. Local drivers’ speeding has turned the area into a potential accident zone. The new rules, effective January 6, restrict traffic between 8-9:30 AM and 2:15-3:45 PM, but residents and some vehicles are exempt. Residents like Billy Swift and Maureen Oakley support the initiative, hoping it enhances safety and eases parking issues. However, concerns remain that displaced traffic will worsen conditions in adjacent streets. This is part of a broader “School Streets” initiative aimed at reducing congestion and improving air quality near schools.
School-operated vehicles were banned from the road after residents complained that the congestion was a “car accident waiting to happen.”
Local residents say some drivers are speeding down the roads “like bats out of hell”, making pick-up times on Turner Street in Northwood dangerous.
This street serves as the main entrance to Co-op Academy Grove and is one of 10 school streets in Stoke-on-Trent from today.
This means motorists will be banned from the roads between 8am and 9.30am and 2.15pm and 3.45pm during term time.
Residents and businesses in nearby areas will still have access to the road during these hours, and some vehicles will be exempt.
Stoke-on-Trent City Council’s new rules will come into force from Monday, January 6, and drivers who break the rules could be fined.
Residents hope the new regulations will make it easier to park outside their homes.
“Parking is terrible,” said Billy Swift, 82, who lives on Turner Street. No one is allowed to enter or exit the building, and even teachers have to park on the street.
“I welcome this council’s initiative. It should make it safer for children. When I go out, someone takes my space. Teachers park all day. and stay there until 4 or 5 p.m.
School-operated vehicles were banned from the road after residents complained that the congestion was a “car accident waiting to happen.” Pick-up times on Turner Street in Northwood, Stoke-on-Trent have become dangerous, with some drivers speeding down the road “like bats out of hell”, according to locals.
This street serves as the main entrance to Co-op Academy Grove and is one of 10 school streets in Stoke-on-Trent from today. Photo: Residents standing on Turner Street
Adjacent Avoca Street and Myatt Street are also designated as School Streets. Photo: Coop Academy Grove
Neighbor Maureen Oakley, 81, said, “If I have to go to the doctor or the hospital, I can’t go to the front of my house when I get home from school.”
“Also, if you were shopping, you would have to park on another street and carry your shopping.
“I have to pick up my granddaughter from special needs school in Bucknall in the afternoon.
“We do it three or four times a week. We don’t object to parents taking their kids to school, but they park on the sidewalk.
“Some people just come and sit in their cars. They come and go here like bats out of hell.
“I have great-grandchildren. Years ago we didn’t have cars. It was safer.
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“They don’t care if you live here or not. They don’t care. The way they park is a nuisance.
“Some teachers park on the street all day. Some come well before 8 a.m..”
Alison Higgin, 60, who lives on Turner Street, added: “I can’t leave my front door during school runs.” It doesn’t help that teachers park here and have their own parking lot around the corner.
“It’s like waiting for a car accident to happen.”
Adjacent Avoca Street and Myatt Street are also designated as School Streets.
But there are concerns the plans will push the problem onto nearby streets where free parking is available.
“The surrounding streets will be affected,” said Pamela Peach of Rollins Street. Just move the problem elsewhere. We will face the same problem as Turner Street. ”
As a result of Stoke-on-Trent City Council’s ‘School Streets’ initiative, a total of 10 city streets across the city will be transformed into pedestrian and cycle friendly zones for the duration of the school year.
The scheme aims to reduce traffic congestion and improve air quality near the school gates. The introduction of the School Streets initiative comes almost a year after a public consultation concluded.