1 week Ago
Residents of a Little Lever estate said it's a "struggle" to get home because of parents parking to collect and drop off children at a nearby primary school. Bowness Community Primary School sits at the end of Crummock Close and parents park on the road to collect and drop off pupils. Locals living on the estate say that it’s a “struggle to get home” – and that the parking situation is getting worse.
Kathleen Black, a retiree, said: “It happens most of the time but we just tend to put up with it. “I’ve been here for about six and a half years and it’s gotten worse – and getting even more so. “There’s so many cars trying to get into a very small area.
” She said that the cars start parking about half an hour before the school day starts and ends, taking up so much of the road that only one car can fit through. “It’s a struggle to get home at half past three because of the way they park in the afternoon,” Ms Black said. "Obviously, there’s the parking on the pavements – but then the car doors open.
” She said she can’t get to her house because parents try to leave through the one-car gap, expecting her to give way. Ms Black explained: “I’ve got to park way down the road waiting and they expect me to reverse out – as far as I’m concerned, they should wait for me to get across to our drive.” She said that the problem seems to be getting “far worse” and more parents seem to be using their cars for collections.
Ms Black said: “The cars have gotten bigger as well – that has an impact. “I always thought primary schools were supposed to be within walking distance – I know one parent who lives about half a mile away. “Parents just don’t seem to want to walk at all these days, I think attitudes have changed a lot.
” Bowness Primary School (Image: Google Maps) Sophie Wright, headteacher of Bowness Primary School, said that they were aware of the concerns. She said: “As we share a site with Little Lever High School, we understand that traffic can build up quickly, and we’re committed to working together to minimise disruption for our neighbours. “We regularly remind parents and carers to park responsibly, avoid blocking driveways, and respect the surrounding community.
“We’re also continuing to explore ways to ease congestion, including reviewing our communication to families, promoting walking and cycling where possible, and liaising with the high school and local authorities on longer-term solutions. “We value our relationship with the local community and will continue to work collaboratively to address these concerns.” Ms Black said she now has to tell tradespeople to come later in the day, because they won’t be able to park, and she thinks the problem is just going to get worse.
READ MORE: Hardy Mill Primary School parents blamed for inconsiderate parking READ MORE: List of 30 Bolton ‘free’ car parks where 3-hour limit to be enforced READ MORE: Waiting restrictions could come in on Astley Bridge streets “Unless people start being more considerate and stop using their cars as much, it’s just going to get even worse,” Ms Black said. "Once someone parked fully on the pavement just outside my garden fence – I couldn’t get off the drive. “Not just two wheels, but four wheels on the pavement.
“I just don’t understand these people at all.”.
