A Residents' Association has been set up by local people living in St Peter's Road and Janes Estate, Westfield, following a meeting held at St Peter's Church Hall at the end of November. Fifty-seven people attended the meeting to discuss the matter of daytime parking on Longfellow Road, the Janes Estate and St Peter's Road. Due to both Fosse Way School and Westfield Primary School being situated on Longfellow Road, residents say they have nowhere to park outside their properties during the day and that access is being compromised by drivers parking inconsiderately.
The Residents' Association presented a petition that was signed by 237 individuals, who live on the estates, to Cllr Michael Evans on Friday, 21st December which has been passed to Jacob Rees-Mogg MP. Copies have also been forwarded to the Headteacher and Governing Body of Fosse Way School, B&NES Council and Westfield Parish Council.
The group believe that Fosse Way School are using the estate as their staff and school visitor car park, excluding residents from having somewhere to park their cars.
They also object on the grounds of child road safety, the ease of access for emergency vehicles, as Longfellow Road is restricted to a single line of traffic due to parked cars, claiming that an ambulance had to park in the middle of the road when called to a recent emergency.
They also argue that drivers are parking on the bus stops, so that residents have to stand in the middle of the road to gain the bus driver's attention.
The Association also claim that Fosse Way School informed them that they would be installing 34 car parking spaces on site, which has never been realised.
Speaking before Christmas, David Gregory CBE, Headteacher at Fosse Way School, told The Journal: "I was not aware of a petition from the Westfield Residents' Association, although I am aware that a number of residents have been challenging staff, parents and visitors to the school, regarding the parking of cars on the road in the front of their homes.
"I am very happy to meet with representatives of the Residents' Association in order to explore possible solutions to the issues about which they are concerned."
Simon Mills, Headteacher at Westfield Primary School, also commented: "Westfield Primary School has never had an issue with parking during the school day, as we have sufficient capacity on site for all staff and visitors."
Parking outside of schools in residential areas is often the cause of tension with local residents and it can also be a significant road safety issue for both pupils and residents.