Harborough council car park request amid school traffic issues

Drop-off times at St Joseph's Catholic Academy have been staggered but the problem is "still persistent"

A council has been asked to allow parents to use one of its car parks after a head teacher said traffic on the school run was a "huge problem".

Bernadette Dabbs, from St Joseph's Catholic Academy in Coventry Road, Market Harborough, said there was a safety concern around pupil drop-offs.

MP Neil O'Brien has suggested Harborough District Council allow parents to use the nearby car park.

A spokesperson said it was trying to find "a practical solution".

Mrs Dabbs said there was heavy congestion on the roads around the school due to cars pulling up to drop children off in the morning.

Despite staggering drop-off times every morning, the head teacher said the problem was persisting.

She added that if nothing changes, "an accident will happen".

Neil O'Brien, MP for Harborough, said the move made "total sense"

Mr O'Brien, MP for Harborough, said The Commons car park - a five-minute walk away - was "virtually empty" before 09:00.

He has urged the council to consider the proposal to alleviate traffic problems.

"This increase in traffic makes our roads unsafe for our children," Mrs Dabbs said.

"We fear that sooner or later an accident will happen, and we want this to be prevented.

"If our parents and children were able to park safely and free of charge before 09:00 each morning in The Commons Car Park, which is a short walk from the school, this would be a superb solution."

Councillor Darren Woodiwiss, Harborough District Council's cabinet lead for environmental and climate change, acknowledged the school is experiencing traffic congestion and problematic parking during morning school runs.

"We also understand the school's concerns for pupil safety and thank the MP Neil O'Brien for bringing this to our attention," he added.

"We will assess the options and liaise with the school to see if we can find a practical solution."