CLEDFORD residents have hit out at plans to expand Cledford Primary School claiming that the roads around the school cannot cope with more pupils. 


Cledford Primary School was granted planning permission last month to expand their building to accommodate 25 more children at their nursery, Tommy Thumbs, which now operates from the school.


However residents who live near the school say the traffic around the residential area during the school run is horrendous and say even more traffic going to and from the school would be disastrous.


Sheila Dean, who lives on Barrington Drive, said: “We’ve had cars parking along our drive blocking us in and we’ve even had people parking on our drive, and they just say ‘what’s your problem, I’m only going to be a few minutes.’”


“The parking is horrendous as it is and it’s only going to get worse with the extension. 


“They don’t have a car park on the side but I don’t why they didn’t put a car park where the nursery is instead putting that there.


“It affects me more because I go to pick up a child from a school in Hartford so I have to leave at the time they’re all turning up and sometimes I’m blocked in. 


“There are times when my heart has been in my mouth because cars are doubled parked so the road is so narrow and then you have people speeding through because they’re late.”


Some residents have suggested that despite the school not having a car park to relieve the strain on the residential area, it is down to the parents to do their bit to help.


Kath Burrows said: “I love the school and I like the sound of the children being across the road but the traffic is a big problem. 


“Some of them some at 2.45pm and park up but the kids only get let out at 3.30pm. It’s just complete gridlock every day and it’s dangerous.”


“The thing is, most of them live nearby and could easily walk but they don’t.”