Change.org petition launched to end 'parking crisis' around Thurston Primary Academy

Following the launch of a petition aimed at stopping the 'parking crisis' in Thurston, the parish council said they warned local authorities about the issues the site of the new school would cause.

Concerned residents in the village, near Bury St Edmunds, said pick up and drop off times at the new primary school, are causing 'carnage' with parents and carers 'parking in dangerous places'.

Vicky Waples, Clerk at Thurston Parish Council, said: "The parish council is aware of the frustrations of residents who live in or near the vicinity of not only the primary school but also the community college which in the main, culminate around peak school hours and the associated parking problems that arise at such times."

The parish council has funded a police community support officer who keeps councillors informed about the parking situation in her weekly meetings.

Mrs Waples continued: "We are ultimately all reliant upon the goodwill of parents and carers acting in a responsible manner and being mindful of where they are parking.

"As a parish council we made all aware of the issues surrounding parking on this site at the planning stage, but we appear to have been in the minority of those who could see the potential issues and little or no provision was made for short-term parking places to mitigate such behaviour."

She added: "The planning authority and Suffolk County Council must be ultimately responsible, for the decision and for the remedy, ensuring that any such measures do no compromise pupil safety."

One local resident, who helped to set up the change.org petition, said he and his neighbours are concerned that the small estates and roads in Thurston 'aren't big enough to cope' with the amount of traffic caused by the primary school drop off and pick up.

The man, who did not wish to be named, said: "When vehicles are parked on bends, close to junctions it's causing vehicles to overtake and many near head on collisions have been observed.

"In addition, children and families are being forced to walk on the road to get around parked cars on the pavements."

He added: "The school won't come up with a solution and keep saying their car park isn't safe to use but they are happy for their students to leave their site and potentially be in danger on the busy roads."

Last week the headteacher at Thurston Primary Academy, which opened in 2021 in Pond Field Road, expressed his sympathy to local residents that have been affected by the parking issues.

Responding to the comments from Thurston Parish Council, a spokesman for the county council said: "We would be happy to meet with the school to better understand the issues raised.

"We would also like to work with the school to encourage parents and carers to walk and cycle safety with their children and to explore options for schemes such as park and walk to school."

A spokesperson for the local planning authority, Mid Suffolk District council, added: "As the district council we want to work with the local community to ensure they have the facilities they need and champion the provision of infrastructure to keep pace with growth, however decisions over provision and planning for local schools rests with Suffolk County Council as the local education authority."

West Suffolk Council enforce parking restrictions in Thurston, on the behalf of Suffolk County Council.

Any residents who wish to report parking infringements can do so via their website.

This allows the council to send out parking enforcement officers out to the area.