FEARS of Rokeby residents became reality on Monday when the opening of a new school created ‘traffic chaos’.
Rugby Free Secondary School (RFSS) opened its two-year temporary home in Anderson Avenue – welcoming its first 152 students.
But a campaign group opposed to the school’s location say the extra school runs – added to those of the 200 pupils from the neighbouring Rokeby Primary School – caused gridlocks and dangerous driving.
And they fear the problem will only get worse when RFSS’s permanent site and the proposed Rugby Free Special School are built on the nearby Rokeby Sports Ground – bringing the total number of pupils heading down the narrow street each morning to around 1,700.
Members of campaign group SHARE (Sustainable Hillside And Rokeby Education) told The Observer police car and foot patrols were in abundance on Monday morning – but failed to allay their concerns despite parents being told by the school not to drive to, or park near, the site.
They said drop-offs by buses and cars at the nearby Griffin pub caused queues at the junction of Dunchurch Road and Kingsway.
SHARE traffic monitor Richard Allanach said: “There were several instances of frustrated drivers mounting the pavement, and I saw cars speeding up Kingsway – probably driven by late-running parents.”
Michelle Lines, who lives near the schools, said: “There were several times the road came to a stand-still. Cars mounted the kerb to get by. At one point a policeman got out of his car as it was gridlocked and had to get a lady to turn around.”
Rokeby resident John Robson added: “As winter approaches I cannot see more students walking or cycling along this inadequate road – the traffic will only get worse.
“I’m incredibly concerned for students coming to school by bike – even walking along the road with my children felt dangerous today.”
RFSS had sent letters to parents asking drivers to drop children off on Kingsway or Long Furlong and avoid Anderson Avenue.
It stated: “This will alleviate any traffic issues and start to build our reputation in the area as being good neighbours.”
And the school’s lead proposer Tom Legge of the Knowledge Schools Trust said congestion was understandable on the first day of term.
He added: “We will continue to impress on parents the importance of showing consideration to local residents.
“As our children become more confident, our parents become more relaxed and our construction partners complete their work on site, we would hope that the position will improve further.”
The Knowledge Schools Trust plans to move RFSS to the neighbouring playing fields in 2018, where Rugby Free Special School is due to open in 2017.
