Wrexham primary school expansion plans placed on hold amid concerns over traffic and parking problems

PLANS to extend a Wrexham primary school have been placed on hold amid concerns over traffic and parking problems.

Wrexham Council previously applied to create space for an extra 120 pupils at Barker’s Lane Community Primary School.

Education officials said the move had been put forward to meet a growing demand, which they were unable to meet during the last round of admissions.

It meant some pupils whose parents chose Barker’s Lane as their preferred school were refused entry.

However, residents living close to the school raised a number of objections ahead of the application being considered by councillors yesterday .

Acton Community Council also said it had “grave concerns” about the impact on the safety of pupils walking to school.

Speaking at the virtual planning committee meeting on Monday, Little Acton councillor Bill Baldwin said: “I’m here to express my serious concerns over the impact of this proposed school extension on Barker’s Lane.

“I’ve been told by the traffic engineer at Abbey Road that Barker’s Lane School generates more complaints about parental parking issues than any other in Wrexham.

“I do not believe that the transport assessment as submitted by the applicant resolves any of the existing parking issues, because the report is based on inaccurate information and does not even consider the issue of existing parking problems.”

Cllr Baldwin claimed the traffic report submitted alongside the proposals was inaccurate as it did not highlight the true number of extra vehicles which would be used by parents to travel to the school.

The former executive board member also implied that officers could potentially be trying to hide the true impact of the development.

It led to a warning from a legal officer that such accusations could be in breach of the council’s code of conduct by bringing the authority into disrepute.

The overall proposals would see the creation of a new nursery and improved play facilities, along with the refurbishment of the existing building.

The biggest bone of contention for neighbours surrounds the location of a new car park for school staff on Lisburne Grove.

Addressing the committee, local resident Mark Rees said: “The reality is a significant number of cars are parking and moving chaotically on a red square of land owned by the residents and spilling on to Lisburne Grove.

“I have no doubt that the school has asked for this dangerous activity to stop, but unfortunately it shows no signs of stopping.

“I have no doubt that the school will ask parents not to approach the new planned entrance in Lisburne Grove, but history tells us the school will not be able to control the areas immediately outside the school boundary.”

He said the new entrance would lead to increased pollution, as well as safety issues, and asked councillors to refuse the plans.

Planning officer David Williams acknowledged there were problems with parking outside the school, but said the proposals were designed to address the issues.

He added the creation of a 46-space car park would lead to less staff members using bays on Barker’s Lane and free them up for parents.

He said: “There is concern in terms of the existing issues and problems in respect of traffic generation and parking in and around Barker’s Lane School and that’s something we accept.

“It’s inevitable that you will have problems outside all schools at certain times of the day.

“We know that there are issues at virtually every school in Wrexham for about half an hour in the morning and half an hour in the afternoon, but they are relatively short periods in terms of the overall traffic movement through those particular areas.

“In many respects the proposal to provide access on Lisburne Grove is an attempt to alleviate the problem on Barker’s Lane.

Despite his assurances, a number of councillors echoed the issues raised by residents.

Cllr Andy Williams said: “On parts of Barker’s Lane there isn’t a path for children to have access to school.

“It forces any child who wants to access to the school to cross over Barker’s Lane, which we’re already saying is extremely busy.
“Highways say it’s safer due to removing the staff cars to the back of building.

“Well, it’s not going to be because the additional spaces where teachers parked up and were there for the entire day will now generate lots and lots of people dropping off children.”

Committee members voted by a majority to defer their decision at the end of the debate in order for the traffic and parking issues to be addressed.

By Liam Randall – BBC Local Democracy Reporter