The evidence
“Everyday I see fast cars driving down this road and use it as a cut through. I see big lorries squeezing through tight gaps, and primary children running in front of them, I pray that they down get knocked down. I get upset to see this, I have 4 grandchildren that go to primary school. I see parents dropping off their children right out side the main gate, it is a nightmare because children are trying to cross the road. I have seen children almost getting hit by big range rovers cars that cannot see them. Everyday parents wait in their cars outside the school gates to collect their children they turn up 40 minutes to an hour early with their engines running. They also park across my drive with their engines on polluting the area, I cannot go in my garden during these times because I am breathing in the fumes. It must be the same for the children who are in that area.
Drivers are very aggressive I have seen many arguments between parents and it is very upsetting for me and the children to see and hear.”
Handsworth Avenue resident
“We had a scary incident this morning, which could have ended so much worse, thankfully my daughter is ok.
We were walking down Handsworth and a van let us cross church avenue. A car overtook the van and very nearly hit my daughter. The car was on the pavement and then continued to shout abuse.
In all the madness we didn’t get the number plate but it was a parent from Highams park school as she was telling me to move off the pavement as her child was going to be late for school.
Please be extra careful walking to school, even when lovely people let you cross!”
Handsworth Primary School parent
“Traffic during the school runs is horrendous. People drive on the pavement on our road which is dangerous with children walking to school. People park across drives etc to pick up their kids and idle, polluting the air”
Church Avenue resident
“The current volume of traffic on Handsworth Ave poses a serious risk to our children's safety. Last year my daughter was nearly hit by a van mounting the pavement. The van driver was too busy dodging traffic on the road - he did not even see my daughter. It was a terrifying ordeal. Furthermore, the constant idling of cars creates a significant air pollution problem, exposing students to harmful emissions and jeopardising their respiratory health. We urge the council to implement a school street scheme, ensuring a safer and healthier environment for every child.”
Handsworth Primary School parent