Parking restrictions create 'the most dangerous road in Dorchester'

Margaret Morrissey, who lives in Poundbury, said she is concerned about the impact of parking restrictions in Edward Road and Coburg Road along with yellow lines in Maud Road and the knock-on effect in nearby Clarence Road.

She says the area, which is close to the Thomas Hardye School, Dorchester Middle School and the Prince of Wales First School, is a much-used route for an estimated 2,000 students attending the three facilities.

However, she says the parking restrictions on the other roads means it is now packed with cars parked down both sides of the road, meaning children are ‘popping out between cars’ to get across.

Mrs Morrissey, from the parents’ group Parents Outloud, said: “Since parking restrictions were enforced on Edward Road and Coburg Road the highway department and planners have achieved in making it one of the most dangerous roads in Dorchester.”

There is a school crossing patrol at the end of Queens Avenue but Mrs Morrissey claims to get to this many children are having to navigate a road where their vision is totally blocked.

She said Clarence Road is also used by a large number of coaches going to the schools, which often struggle to get through and she fears whether a fire engine could get through.

Also fire engines and ambulances would have nowhere to park or space to access properties along the road.

Mrs Morrissey said: “How can any supposedly experienced council department let this happen?

“This has to stop before a child is knocked down, it is very dangerous. “It should be dealt with immediately and not fobbed off by the authority for weeks to come.”

A spokesman for Dorset County Council said: “We can carry out a traffic management survey in Clarence road at the request of the town council. This will inform any solutions that may be needed.

“As always we advise parents, children and other pedestrians to use the school crossing patrol to cross the road safely at busy times.”