Residents fear ‘serious accident’ on Sandy Flatts Lane due to pavement parking problems

Cars parked on Sandy Flatts Lane, outside Discovery Special Academy, which has become a cause of concern for residents
-Credit: (Image: Brian Coyle)


Residents have voiced their concerns about parking on Sandy Flatts Lane.

Councillor Jim Platt has spoken out on behalf of residents concerned about the safety of the current parking situation close to Discovery Special Academy. The Kader ward councillor outlined that he has received complaints from residents for “at least a year”.

Home owners claim it has been a long-term issue but the problem has increased since work started on building an extension for the school. One residents, Brian Coyle, said: “We are terrified a serious accident will occur as there are many elderly residents; I am 76”.

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Brian went on to say that sometimes he is “having to walk in the middle of the road when more cars and vans are parked opposite on the only pavement.” Another resident claims they have been requesting regulation for some time, but “traffic management do not listen to our concerns”.

Middlesbrough Independent Councillors Association (MICA) Councillor Jim Platt explained “it’s not a particularly big road and there’s a bend on it, there’s two bends - a bend as you come in and a bend as you go past the school.” He said: “I can see both sides but I have to represent my residents who have been complaining now for a long time - at least a year.”

Cllr Platt went on to explain that parking on the road has been a problem “even before they started the new build”, but since the construction of the school extension began, parking problems have got worse.

He said that he understood a lot of schools have parking issues on the surrouding roads, but outside Discovery, cars are parked on Sandy Flatts Lane throughout the day. “I wish the council would just say to the school, get everybody to park around the corner, in Nature’s World,” he said. “The council has always said ‘there’s no accidents so we can’t do anything’ but that doesnt mean to say there won't be an accident”.

A spokesperson for Middlesbrough Council said: “We have not recorded any serious incidents in this area, but would always encourage drivers to park safely and legally.” Discovery Special Academy were asked for comment, but no one from the trust was available.

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