REDDITCH MP Chris Bloore is calling for urgent action to tackle serious safety risks and improve outdoor facilities at Holyoakes Field First School.
During a visit, Mr Bloore witnessed the dangerous traffic and parking issues on Cookridge Close.
The narrow road, with a pavement on only one side, becomes heavily congested at drop-off and pick-up times.
Parents often have to park along Fairweather and Gretton Closes, creating serious safety concerns and prompting fears that an accident is only a matter of time.
The problem has worsened since Covid-era changes to the original planning application left Cookridge Close narrower than planned.
Meanwhile, the long-awaited extension of the road to link with Salters Lane is unlikely to be completed before 2027, despite more homes continuing to be built.
Mr Bloore said: “It’s simply not acceptable that parents and children face such unsafe conditions just getting to and from school.
“We shouldn’t have to wait for a tragedy before action is taken.
“I’ll be pushing Worcestershire County Council, developers and all partners to prioritise interim safety measures and speed up permanent solutions.”
Proposals under discussion include creating a mini-roundabout or turning circle along the planned extension to allow safer drop-offs, as well as using the future district centre car park being developed by Taylor Wimpey to ease congestion.
Mr Bloore also raised concerns about two large fields on the school grounds that remained unusable due to rocks, debris and even shards of glass left from previous construction.
An initial proposal by Worcestershire County Council to clear and reseed the land came at a prohibitively high cost.
However, Persimmon Homes has since suggested using available topsoil from the neighbouring development to prepare the ground, which could significantly reduce costs.
The school hopes to transform the smaller field into a forest school trail and the larger field into a 3G football pitch – facilities that would benefit both pupils and local football clubs, making it a valued community resource.
New footpaths could also connect the area to Salters Lane and Nutford Street.
Mr Bloore added: “It’s deeply frustrating to see it held back by problems outside that should have been sorted long ago.
“I’m urging the county council, developers and local partners to work together to find practical, affordable solutions so these fields can finally be used by the children and the wider community.”
Russell Griffin, managing director for Persimmon Homes South Midlands, said: “We greatly value the working relationship we have with Holyoakes Field First School. We recognise the ongoing traffic challenges experienced by parents, teachers and residents on Cookridge Close.
“We have been working with the school leadership team to help find a solution to ease the traffic congestion which included the installation of a barrier that could be used at drop off and collection times.
“We will continue to play our part in helping to resolve this matter and hope that all parties developing homes in the area, as well as the local authorities, can come together to find a more permanent solution.”
