Fears over child safety lead to calls for car park to built at primary school in Northop

There are calls for a car park to be built at a Flintshire primary school due to fears over the safety of pupils.

MP for Delyn, Rob Roberts, has called on Flintshire County Council to build a car park for staff and visitors at Ysgol Owen Jones in Northop.

It follows correspondence to the MP from a constituent who it’s claimed was injured outside of the school last year after being hit by a car.

Rob Roberts has met with the headteacher to discuss child safety and welfare concerns for pupils who attend the school.

“Parents and local residents will be all too aware of the chaotic scenes they face when dropping off and picking up their children from school as the parking outside of Ysgol Owen Jones is particularly crowded even at a time when so few children are attending school.” The Delyn MP said.

The dangers are exacerbated during peak times when views are blocked and restricted by the sharp turn on the corner of Ffordd Glyndwr and Ffordd Owen.

A new car park next to the school for the use of staff and visitors would free up the current parking spaces, which are allocated on the roadside, to be converted into a suitable drop off and pick up area for parents.

This will mean that safety on the road will greatly improve due to increased visibility and reduced weight of vehicles being parked on the side of the road.

Rob Roberts said: “Child safety is paramount and should take precedence over other concerns. The land which currently sits empty next to the school on Ffordd Owen should be turned into a car park to help alleviate the crowded road outside the school during peak times.

“A car park would appear to be a reasonable solution to a dangerous situation due to the child-safety and welfare concerns involved, and particularly given the land in question is not being used for any other purpose.

“I have formally written to the Chief Executive of Flintshire County Council to raise this issue and to request a meeting at the school to discuss the proposal further. I await the council’s response with interest. “

Head of Ysgol Owen Jones, Gareth Caughter said: “Due to a lack of available parking, we continually have problems at drop off and pick up which is putting the safety of our pupils and parents at risk.”

“This is largely due to staff members having to park on the road outside of the school which take up much needed spaces and would be alleviated by having a staff/visitor car park.”