A PROPOSAL to implement parking restrictions to try and relieve congestion and improve pedestrian safety around Winsley Primary School has been criticised by the parish council who say nothing will be achieved by it.

Wiltshire Council is proposing to make a parking restriction order affecting parts of Tyning Road, Broomground, The Mead and White Horse Road in the vicinity of the school entrance, from Monday to Friday, between 8-9.30am and 2.30-4pm.

There would be a no-waiting zone for 10m along White Horse Road from its junction with Tyning Road and that would also be the case for Broomground and The Mead from their junctions with Tyning Road, which will also be a no-waiting zone for 229m.

Wiltshire Council say this will reduce the chance of any accidents happening, ease congestion and allow pedestrians to have a safer access to the school.

In response, Winsley Parish Council clerk Fleur Shanahan said: “The parish council does not believe that this will improve the situation in any way for any but a very small number of people and will be to the detriment of many.

“There are residential access points along the entire length of these roads which risk being compromised through additional vehicle parking – they are also significantly harder to manage being further from the school entrance.

“Vehicles parking where they don’t at present will create congestion and the potential for blocking buses, larger delivery vehicles and also emergency service vehicles. 

"It is also noted that the restriction will be for 52 weeks of the year and for a long period during the day, when the current parking situation is more appropriate.

“We are committed to trying to establish a safe system of school travel and will help and support in any way it can but We do not believe that overall this plan will improve road safety in the village.

“We acknowledge the need to ensure a safe environment for all persons and traffic throughout the parish but This proposal is very limited in scope being directed a small area of Winsley and will merely move the congestion beyond the extremities of the proposed restriction.

“In other words, the ‘new’ areas of congestion will be no safer or better able to cope with the traffic. There are residential access points along the entire length of these roads which risk being compromised through additional vehicle parking – they are also significantly harder to manage being further from the school entrance.”

The council also have raised concerns to Wiltshire Council saying that it will cause a loss of passing trade along Tyning Road and the school has also asked to have a lollipop crossing person for one hour at the start and end of the school day.