A ROAD safety scheme in Mancot has been described as ‘overkill’ as all it has done is ‘move the problem’.

The Leader previously reported that residents raised concerns over the double yellow lines on streets near to Sandycroft Primary School, meaning people cannot park outside of their own homes.

One resident, who did not wish to be named, said they cannot park outside of their house from 8.30am to 9.30am or 2.30pm to 4pm Monday to Friday.

They told the Leader: “The scheme aims to stop parking outside the school but has gone way over the top and effectively prevents parents from parking anywhere near the school without providing any alternative.

“It will simply move the parking problem elsewhere. We have suggested on many occasions that the school use some of the land they own to provide a dedicated car park with and drop off and pick up area, surely this would have been far cheaper and more sensible than this ridiculous scheme we now see being implemented in Mancot affecting everyone including those that live nowhere near the school.”

The resident said that the original proposal was for a Zebra Crossing with flashing beacons outside of their house.

They added: “When the council first published the scheme there was huge objection and it was far too extensive. My main objection was that we would have had a zebra crossing with flashing Belisha beacons right outside our house, as we sleep in the front these would have been constantly visible through the night.

“The council did eventually change the scheme (to a raised crossing), we reluctantly agreed to this as it removed the zebra crossing. I should emphasise that I got the local councillors and our MP involved before they changed it.

“I think generally the main objection from Mancot residents is the scheme is overkill and prevents parents from parking near either of the school entrances in Leaches Lane and Mancot Lane, all it does is move the problem but without providing an alternative.

“Due to the current situation with all the schools being shut it has not yet been tested but whenever we return to some form of normality, I predict that it will cause massive congestion in Hawarden Way and Chester Road.”

Flintshire Council’s chief officer for streetscene and transportation, Steve Jones, previously said: “The council was successful in receiving Welsh Government funding under the Safer Routes In The Community initiative for the implementation of a package of road safety improvements, aimed at facilitating safe and sustainable access within the vicinity of Sandycroft Primary School. The measures come as a result of road safety concerns raised by local residents and include the introduction of traffic regulation orders (both single and double yellow lines) in order to address indiscriminate parking within the locality.

“Whilst the council appreciates that the introduction of parking restrictions may cause inconvenience to those residents who wish to park directly outside of their properties, the restrictions are essential for improving the safety of the county’s most vulnerable road users which include pupils walking and cycling to and from school.

“The proposals (including the parking restrictions on Mancot Road), were widely publicised and received the support of the local community. Residents received hand delivered letters inviting them to attend a number of public consultation events (held during a number of evenings within the community), where council officers talked through the proposals and considered any suggestions made by residents. The parking restrictions were also formally advertised on 11 October 2019 for a period of 21 days (in accordance with the Statutory Consultation Procedure) where public notices were displayed on site, the local newspaper, the council’s website and the local library.

“It is unfortunate that comments relating to the recently implemented restrictions were received outside this objection period and therefore cannot be considered. The council is, however, confident that the recently implemented scheme will deliver much needed safety improvements.”