The battle of the school run: Police are called as angry residents build wheelie bin barricade across their street to stop parents using it when they go to pick up their children
- Furious residents in Cleethorpes erected a wheelie-bin blockade on their street
- They were frustrated with parents who had parked across their driveways
- Humberside Police were called due to the obstruction to the public highway
Furious locals set up a barricade of wheelie bins to prevent parents from using their road for parking when they go to pick up their children from school.
Residents in Cleethorpes, North East Lincolnshire, staged a protest on Monday after they claimed motorists had continuously used their quiet cul-de-sac for parking.
Those who live on Halton Place say they have had enough of parents parking across their driveways when picking up children from the nearby Cleethorpes Academy.
At the end of the school day, they gathered to place wheelie bins across the entrance to the cul-de-sac near Sandringham Road.
Children were consequently delayed from leaving school and Humberside Police were called due to the obstruction to the public highway.
Cleethorpes Academy had been using an emergency access gate at the end of Halton Place in order to implement a one-way system during the Covid pandemic.
Residents in Cleethorpes, North East Lincolnshire, staged a protest on Monday after they claimed motorists had continuously used their quiet cul-de-sac for parking
It says the entrance will continue to be used to keep Year 7 and 8 children safe.
One woman, who has lived on the cul-de-sac for 23 years, said she has become frustrated by the number of times she has not been able to leave her home.
She said: ‘We understood that the emergency access gate for the school had to be used during the pandemic and it was to keep everyone safe.
‘But now they want to use it permanently and we are just not having it. We were promised that it would only be used during the pandemic.
‘But now they want to make it permanent. We get parents parking across our driveway. We have to organise our lives around school times.
‘Try telling your GP that you can’t make it for a 9am appointment because you can’t get out. There are people who have lived here for over 30 years.
‘It wasn’t a problem because the main entrance on Grainsby Avenue is not a danger.
‘People bought their houses because they were told the gate was only an emergency access.’
At the end of the school day, they gathered to place wheelie bins across the entrance to the cul-de-sac near Sandringham Road. Pictured: The protest
Another resident said: ‘We have to put up with a lot when it is school time. There are a lot who ride their bikes on the pavement. If you say anything you get abuse.
‘I know it is pushing the problem on to other streets, like Sandringham (Road).
‘But we have had enough if it.’
A sign was placed on the wheelie bins during the protest stating ‘Road Closed – residents protesting, emergency vehicles and resident access only.’
Placards were also held up, stating ‘No school traffic.’
Croft Baker ward councillor Bob Callison attended the blockade in support of the residents.
He said: ‘When Covid broke out the residents were understanding because it was only going to be temporary.
‘There are many round here who are elderly and they can’t get out of their homes or get the home helps they need.
‘It is not easy for them when students leave en masse and head along the pavements and fill the road. The residents are letting people walk along the road but there won’t be any cars coming through to pick up children.’
The protest caused disruption for parents who arrived to pick up their children.
One parent of a child with special needs said: ‘It was chaos. They were out of order doing that. There is a pandemic on.
‘My lad has special needs and needs to be picked up from the same spot every day otherwise he has a breakdown. I don’t block anyone’s drive. It needs sorting.’
Janice Hornby, Cleethorpes Academy Principal, said she was disappointed in the residents’ action.
Children were consequently delayed from leaving school and Humberside Police were called due to the obstruction to the public highway. Pictured: The protest
She said discussions have been held previously with councillors and they are keen to find a solution for both residents and the Academy, but insists the access will still be used by children.
She said: ‘The safeguarding of our students is our number one priority. Government restrictions regarding bubble groups and staggered start and finish times necessitated the opening of the Halton Place entrance.
‘This arrangement has proved very successful and has enhanced student safety as the entrance into the Academy from Grainsby Avenue is too small for 900+ students, and there are a large number of cars parked on both sides of the road.
‘The Academy has grown substantially since opening in 2010 with a 20 per cent increase in numbers on roll. As a result, we have now decided to use both entrances to the Academy.
‘We are exceptionally disappointed that the residents of Halton Place and a local councillor have taken this action as it has caused considerable disruption to the Academy and has caused distress to students.
‘I cannot understand why residents who bought properties near a school are surprised when children arrive and leave by walking on pavements near their homes.
‘We would like to thank the local police for their swift response in supporting the Academy to deal with this situation and in helping our staff ensure that students could safely leave the site.’
The Principal said the Halton Place entrance will continue to be used.
She said: ‘We are mindful of a sensible resolution to this problem but safeguarding our students remains our number one priority, and for that reason we will continue using both entrances to the Academy as was the original arrangement when the school first opened.’
A Humberside Police spokeswoman said: ‘We were called to reports of a small protest and highway disruption on Halton Close in Cleethorpes at 2.30pm today.’
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