A Stoke-on-Trent school has hit back over claims of dangerous parking outside the school. The Grove Academy in Northwood say they have been working to find a solution, however dangerous parking is still present.

The school, which has 391 pupils aged seven to eleven, is set just off the busy Keelings Road and is surrounded by houses on small narrow streets. Without a dedicated car park parents are forced to park on the streets, which residents say is dangerous. 

Nearby resident David Belfield commenting on the situation said: "I know, I've seen it, it does get a bit hectic down here at school time, especially across the top there, it's a wonder there hasn't been an accident really about it. Lots of people about and a lot of cars dropping kids off, coming in and out."

The school has been working with and pursuing Stoke-on-Trent City Council in order to make the streets safer for the community. Initiatives include a park and stride scheme and camera enforced school streets. Currently the civil enforcement team at the council patrol and take action where appropriate.

One parent who walks to the school said: "There is definitely a problem with all the cars but I think you get that at every school. The problem is if you pick your children up in a car, where are you going to park because every street around here has houses on them and people don't want to walk that far."

The school does not have a dedicated car park so parents are forced to park on the streets (Google).

A spokesperson for the school said: "Grove Academy have been working with the City Council for a number of years to explore ways of making the local streets safer for our community. The school have tried a number of measures but the problem of dangerous parking has remained. 

"The streets surrounding Grove Academy are very congested at drop-off and collection times, causing real hazards for anyone crossing the roads. Some cars have mounted the pavements, causing further danger. 

"The local community including pupils and parents/ carers are also very concerned about the risks posed by the high volume of traffic and inconsiderate parking. Grove Academy have been relentless in pursuing updates from the City Council on the long-awaited scheme, which has been in development for a couple of years. The City Council's Civil Enforcement team will continue to schedule patrols at the school and they will take enforcement action against vehicles parked on the restrictions.

"The City Council are working with the school to look at alternative solutions including Park and Stride, general promotion of active travel and the introduction of camera enforced School Streets at the school at the start and end of the school day to reduce the number of cars and make it safer for pedestrians and cyclists. There will be opportunity to consult and share views on any new proposed schemes."

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