A NEW parking system outside a Flintshire primary school has been hailed as a “complete success” by a County Councillor.

With funding and backing from Welsh Government, Flintshire County Council recently implemented a new parking system in the area in an effort to make it safer for children.

And now, several weeks after its introduction, Councillor, Mike Peers, has said: “It’s been a complete success.

“We had a lot of two-way traffic on a narrow road and we’ve worked to provide a scheme that now makes it safe for children.

“I’m particularly pleased with the new pelican crossing at the end of Knowle Lane which enables children to cross safely as part of the scheme, while we’ve also introduced double yellow lines on Church Road.

“There were some concerns about the 20mph speed limit outside the school. There was confusion about whether it’s advisory or statutory, but it is a statutory limit.

“I have asked the County Council to look at the signage as I don’t believe the signage is clear enough to indicate a 20mph limit, and I’ve also requested for ‘20’ to be painted on the road.”

In early February 2019, North Wales Police warned of police action against illegal parking and obstructions in the area after concerns were raised by local residents about driveways being blocked and vehicles being prevented from getting past the road.

Following the introduction of the new system, though, some families have complained about the difficulty in parking their vehicles and escorting children on to school premises.

But Councillor Peers added: “Provisions have been made for the families. The local St Matthew’s Church has given its car park for parents to park in, and the County Council have installed new footpaths across Buckley Common to link that car park to the school.

“There are no restrictions on Oak Tree Close as the residents there were happy with the status quo. They said they could live with families dropping off children just before school in the morning and then picking them up afterwards.

“So, while there are now some restrictions near the school, Oak Tree Close has none, and neither does parts of Linthorpe Road. They’ve just eliminated parking from the direct area outside the school.”

The new system was completed over the recent half term school holidays, and the lay-by outside the school now permits a maximum 20-minute stay between 8.00am and 4.00pm with no returns within an hour.

Further along Knowle Lane, vehicles are not allowed to park there between 8.30am and 9.30am or 2.30pm and 4.00pm.