New Collection Arrangements
Dear Parent/Carers
As those of you who regularly collect your child from school will be aware, we have been experiencing a high volume of traffic in and around St Mary’s since September at the end of the school day.
Covid restrictions have understandably led to an increase in people travelling by car and reductions in public transport use and car sharing.
As a result the current situation is often one of congestion and queues on the highway and junction immediately outside the school.
In recent weeks, I have continued to meet regularly with representatives from Herefordshire Council, local councillors, parents, the Police and School Transport. Those meeting have been positive and productive as we seek solutions in both the shorter and longer term. With the latter, I hope to be able to communicate proposals to begin in the spring of 2021 but I write today advising of a trial which I hope will alleviate some of the congestion in the short term.
From Monday, 7th December and for the remaining 2 weeks of term, please can I ask that cars do not come into the school until 3.30pm. School will still finish for all pupils at 3.15pm but the fifteen minute period without cars on site will allow over half of our buses to load and leave. The departure of buses uninterrupted by cars should ease the flow of traffic on the drive from 3.30pm onwards reducing extended wait times that many of you are currently experiencing.
I must re-iterate firstly that this is a trial and will be subject to change and secondly that collecting your children from inside the school grounds is the safest option and the only one that we advise.
Please could I ask those of you collecting by car to try to arrive from 3.30pm onwards and not to park and wait in the immediate residential areas close to the school. I am endeavouring to work with the local and parish councils in a constructive way with the shared objective of making the collection of your children as safe as it can possibly be.
There are currently no planned changes for the morning drop off but from, Monday (and including) 7th December, cars will NOT be given access until 3.30pm.
I am hopeful that we can achieve some positive changes in the short term whilst still adhering to safe Covid measures.
I cannot emphasise enough how grateful I am for your patience, cooperation and understanding during such challenging and uncertain times.
Yours sincerely
Stuart Wetson
Headteacher
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