SCHOOL bosses are taking action to combat traffic problems on a narrow village road.
Pictures of cars parked at St Helen’s Gate, Almondbury, outside King James’ School, were taken by an exasperated Examiner reader.
He said the situation was an “accident waiting to happen” and added: “It is a real hazard to motorists as it is a narrow road and impossible for cars to pass.
“Not only that, the school hazard lines are completely ignored.”
The man, who did not want to be named, said school staff parked on the road, even when their own car park was empty.
Patrick O’Brien, the deputy head of the 500-year-old school, said some staff did use the road, but not illegally.
But he added: “We are certainly aware there is a problem and we are putting plans in place to try to alleviate the situation. We want to get on with our neighbours.
“One area of concern is people parking on the zigzag lines outside the school entrance during rush hours.
“They shouldn’t be parking there between 8am and 9am and 3pm and 4pm.
“There’s not a problem with it outside those hours and some staff do use the road to park because the staff car park is always full.
“It’s a very narrow road and sometimes on a morning commuters use it as a short cut, which adds to the problem.”
Mr O’Brien said Kirklees Council had repainted the yellow lines and put up signs about the parking restrictions.
The school’s bus bay, at a narrow crossroads, was another worry.
Mr O’Brien added: “Quite a few parents park there when the buses need to get in. We have had an extra bus put on and we now have eight buses doing the school run and they are no longer overcrowded.
“We hope this will encourage more parents to allow their children to catch the bus.”
He said a travel plan submitted to Kirklees included proposals to encourage parents to car-share.
