Hopes lines outside Newton Aycliffe school will curb parking problem

Lines have been painted on the cul-de-sac outside Woodham Burn Community Primary School ahead of pupil returning next month.

Aycliffe Road Management and School Safety group has been fighting for the road markings for almost two years in a bid to improve the safety of schoolchildren.

“I’m pleased we are actually making steps in in the right direction,” said group chair and Great Aycliffe Town Cllr Paul Kjenstad. “This has been done to protect the kids who should be kept safe outside the school.”

The increasing numbers of vehicles outside the school at the beginning and end of the day has been a problem for the school and residents as far back as 1994.

“It was chaotic,” added Cllr Kjenstad. “A guy was knocked off his bike on the path. Many of the cars park on one side and cars drive on the path to squeeze past and teachers and residents have been abused.”

Aylciffe Road Management and School Safety group was set up in 2013 to tackle issues in the area and eight schools signed up.

Although Woodham Burn did not sign up, Cllr Kjenstad was aware of the long-running matter at the school and decided to try to make improvements.

“The head teacher said it had been bad for decades and nothing was ever done, and nothing will ever change,” he said, adding that he wanted to restore confidence.

Since early 2015 the group has worked with Durham County Council, Great Aycliffe Town Council and county councillors Eddy Adam and Kate Hopper to complete the job.

The land outside the school, on Humphrey Close, belongs to Great Aycliffe Town Council but Durham County Council agreed this year to “adopt” it, paint the lines and enforce them.

Cllr Adam said: “It’s a long term issue and residents have always been complaining about it. Paul has generated the interest to make that change.”

Cllr Kjenstad said the group would monitor the impact of the lines and then take necessary steps to make improvements.