Child almost killed and parent injured on dangerous road outside Essex school

-Credit:LDRS
-Credit:LDRS


A headteacher who was outraged when Brentwood Council quashed plans to improve safety on a “dangerous” road outside his primary school has urged council planners to approve them when they are discussed for a second time. Iain Gunn says that four parents with children at St Peters School in South Weald have been struck by passing vehicles outside the school gates. One parent even ended up with a broken collarbone following a collision.

He said the narrowness of Wigley Bush Lane and cars on the pavement side of the road, as well as very narrow pavements, has meant people have to walk dangerously close to traffic. In one place, close to a tree, the pavement is only 61cm wide.

He argues the Disability Discrimination Act recommends that a minimum of 120cm width of footway should be kept free of obstructions. He said: “In reality, without buying land from local residents, there is no way that this can be increased. Lorries use this road as a shortcut, which causes a great deal of danger to the children. Cars must reverse and manoeuvre so that they can get past the narrow road. This often causes cars to go onto the pavement.

ADVERTISEMENT

Read more: Major Chelmsford Sainsbury's petrol station near A12 remains closed after car crash on forecourt

Read more: Primary school teacher was sent an indecent video of a child but didn't tell anyone

"Without being dramatic, I have to deal with near misses on a weekly basis. The most recent was so close that the driver of the car got out and hugged the child as he thought he had hit her.”

It is around four months since Brentwood Council planning department was accused Mr Gunn of ruining an opportunity to resolve serious road safety concerns outside the primary school at no expense to the taxpayer. He reacted angrily to Brentwood Borough Council's stance over plans to provide 89 car parking spaces close by to the school - essentially removing the need for parents and children to wall along the narrow Wigley Bush Lane to their parked cars.

HGVs use Wigley Bush Lane when children come out of school -Credit:LDRS
HGVs use Wigley Bush Lane when children come out of school -Credit:LDRS

He said the council earlier in 2024 insisted that the members of the public using the car park should not be allowed to use the sporting village, which comes with a condition as a private members club.

ADVERTISEMENT

In a letter to parents, he said there had been a solution to the school's parking issues by which a sporting village and clay pigeon club, that has been awarded planning consent, were going to provide a free car park connected to the school grounds via a new footpath. The school has said the facility would have been fully funded and would have been the school's to use for years to come.

Mr Gunn has said an unwillingness to risk a breach of the conditions the council has insisted on surrounding the sporting village ultimately led to the project's falling. He said in a letter to parents: “The issue was not the car park itself- there was no problem with this. The issue was a minor change that had to be made to the conditions so that parents could use the site. The planner decided that this was not reasonable so withdrew the application. This has resulted in the car park scheme being withdrawn."

Now, the plans have been resubmitted by business owner Charles Chambers, who owns land adjacent to the school for a sporting village and car park, which is being proposed to be used by parents. The council has been urged to accept plans to allow parents to use the car park.

Mr Gunn said: “Last month, however, I was lucky enough to meet with representatives from Brentwood Council and we discussed the issues. It was agreed that I would talk to Mr Chambers and see if he was still prepared to resubmit the planning application for the car park.

"He was obviously not happy with the delays or the fact that his offer for the car park had been rejected. He did agree to resubmit a full planning application. I cannot stress to you enough how needed this car park is to keep the children safe. It will also really enhance the village as it will mean that Wigley Bush Lane will be accessible during drop-off and pick-up times. Without this car park, we are gambling on the lives of the children who attend my school.”

The plans will be decided by Brentwood Council at a later date.