Residents fear 'dangerous' cut-through by school

Residents say they have had their cars hit while parked on the road

Residents say they are worried about cars "racing" down a residential road beside a children's park and primary school.

It follows pictures of a car flipped over on Sebert Street in Kingsholm, Gloucester being posted on social media last Friday, sparking a debate about the safety of the road, especially as it is close to Kingsholm Primary School.

City council leader and councillor for Kingsholm and Wotton Jeremy Hilton described the crash as a "freak incident".

"It's a very busy road and there's vehicles parked all over the place, so it's very difficult for drivers to go too fast - it's not a road that's got excessive speed," he said.

Resident Guy Harvey said his car has been hit while parked on the road, and his son's vehicle was also struck during the incident last Friday.

"You do see cars driving pretty quickly. At schools times it can be carnage, people try to squeeze through gaps rather than just wait," he said.

The speed limit on Sebert Street is currently 30mph but Mr Harvey feels it should be lowered.

"My daughter went to that school, when they [pupils] cross the road, they might not be as observant. So yeah, it needs to be slower," he added.

"I think most people are sensible, but it only takes the one person."

Another local resident who asked to remain anonymous said he sees cars "racing through and being silly".

"It's dangerous and it's right outside a school so it needs stopping," he added.

Guy Harvey thinks the roads speed limit should be lowered

Mr Hilton said residents had raised concerns about cars driving too fast previously, however he added he had carried out a speed test back in May 2024 and the average speed of cars recorded was 20mph.

Locals have also expressed concerns that nearby roads will also be used as cut-throughs when the next phase of the Bishop's Cleeve to Stroud cycle spine lane begins in early 2026.

The scheme will connect the existing cycle lane on London Road in Gloucester to the one in progress on Northgate Street.

It means the road approaching Black Dog Way will be narrowed, stopping right turns at the junction.

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, drivers and residents are worried that Alvin Street, Oxford Street, and Denmark Road will become rat runs.

But Mr Hilton stressed this will be monitored.

"I'm not sure it's going to have a major impact, but I know the county council have said to me they will keep a close eye on it," he added.