A SALE resident has expressed concerns that traffic congestion outside a school near her home is ‘an accident waiting to happen’.

Vera Marsh has campaigned for the past 16 years for safer parking at pick up and drop off times near Tyntesfield Primary School, on Alma Road.

She got in touch with Messenger after reading a report two weeks ago of a toddler being injured in a car accident near St Hugh’s RC Primary School, in Timperley.

The 85-year-old complained that cars regularly double park on Alma Road, which is a cul-de-sac, block residents’ driveways and footpaths and stop on yellow lines.

Vera, who has lived on Alma Road for the past 18 years, said: “We are prisoners in our homes at pick up and drop off times.

“This is a sitting time bomb. There will be an accident one of these days and someone will get injured and emergency services would not be able to access the street.

“I gave up driving four months ago because of the problems and I used to love driving and did it for 60 years. Now I get buses and taxis when I need to go out. It has impacted on my independence.”

Residents held a meeting with the school last month to discuss the high volume of traffic.

Staff are working on various initiatives as a result, including a walking bus trial.

Trafford Council’s executive councillor Alan Mitchell said. “Our parking attendants carry out regular patrols around schools. As well as meeting our enforcement responsibilities, parking attendants will also, wherever possible, try to move on vehicles causing obstructions.

“Whenever we are made aware of specific issues around a school, we look to step up patrols and urge motorists to be considerate and park sensibly and create a safe environment for pupils, pedestrians and other road users.”

Headteacher Kylie Spark added: “At Tyntesfield we are working closely with our parents and the community looking into ways to reduce school traffic on Alma Road.

“We have been holding termly meetings at our school with residents, our councillor, PCSOs and traffic wardens to discuss and share ideas.

“We have also been working closely with Trafford’s travel co-ordinator and Sustrans to promote road safety amongst our children and parents alongside encouraging walking and cycling to school.

“As a school we are committed to reducing school traffic and promoting pupils walking to school. Our walking bus scheme is being launched next week and is being run by a group of committed and supportive parents and staff who are keen to promote children walking to school.

“Through regular newsletters to parents and through our work with the children in school, we continue to encourage our parents and pupils to walk to school, and indeed a significant number do walk every day.

“We also regularly remind parents about safe and considerate driving and senior staff are frequently a visible presence at the school gate and on Alma Road at the beginning and end of the school day.”