Express & Star

Walsall school parking dispute is resolved

Walsall Council is expected to take no further action against a private school in the town after settling a parking dispute, a new report has revealed.

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Hydesville Tower School was given six months to find suitable parking for parents of nursery children after the car park at the nearby Park Tavern pub was bulldozed for redevelopment.

Walsall Council had warned it would not be allowed to take on nursery pupils in September if it failed to address the issues.

The school in Broadway North had proposed 30 spaces on land between Lower Rushall Street and Dog Kennel Lane.

However, a new report to the planning committee, which was meeting tonight, says the terms of the lease for the site had changed to allow parents to park there after the school outlined a new travel plan, including shuttle buses to and from the school.

The report said: "Consequently the council will not pursue injunctive proceedings against the school to prevent a new in take of nursery pupils in September 2015."

It said the school had also provided a statement confirming how it intends to operate the car park, which includes the use of school minibuses to shuttle nursery children between the car park and the school at the beginning and the end of the day.

The report adds: "In relation to other aspects of the school's travel plan the school's statement confirms that they use a daily walking bus supported by three staff members through the arboretum.

"The school has sought funding for 10 bikes for ages five to eight years and two adult bikes, plus a bike shed for storage to support and promote healthy lifestyles and in March 2015, the school met with parents responding to safety concerns about vehicular access to the school during peak times."

Headteacher Andrew McGinnes said: "There was never any doubt that we would meet the terms of the agreement in good time and I am pleased to report that has been achieved.

"Hydesville Tower School is flourishing and our new car parking facility for nursery families is a welcome boost to the ever-improving service we are able to offer the parents of our youngest children."

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