Roadworks flunk

PARENTS of Mount Stuart Primary School students have been forced to wade through a sea of traffic to get to the first day of school.

Roadworks and drivers flouting parking rules caused traffic jams around the school as students returned to classes yesterday morning.

“Traffic is very banked up because there’s only one option to get out of here, which has made it more difficult,” said Anna Ingham, whose four-year-old daughter Abi started kindergarten yesterday.

The Inghams, of New Town, had noticed traffic banking up before reaching the school so they parked and walked a fair distance.

“I think they need to be more wary of when they do roadworks, so they’re not happening at the same time [which] all adds to the congestion.”

The Hobart City Council has closed nearby Mellifont St between Mt Stuart and Lower Jordan Hill roads for resurfacing works.

The job is expected to finish near the end of this month.

As a result, drivers trying to get into the city from the Mount Stuart area have been forced to take alternative routes past the primary school, which is on Gillon Crescent.

Motorists are either driving past the school and on to Summerhill Rd or on to Elphinstone Rd, causing congestion in the Mount Stuart and North Hobart areas.

Roadworks have also closed Weerona Ave at the top of Gillon Crescent, blocking parking for parents.

Mount Stuart Primary principal Charles White said the 370 students who flocked to the school yesterday, cou-