Coach bays plan aims to improve safety at school
YSGOL Dyffryn Taf Whitland could have new coach parking area new plans are approved.
At present, coaches have to reverse from the highway into existing bus bays in front of the secondary school in North Road.
The proposed construction would see a dedicated facility for coaches adjacent to the school on currently unused scrub land, with capacity for 16 marked bays and turning area.
Headteacher Julian Kennedy said in a letter to Carmarthenshire Council that he welcomed the plans and said safety for children would be improved.
Mr Kennedy added: “I am fully supportive of this proposal, as is the governing body of the school.
“The existing arrangements for the drop-off and pick-up of pupils arriving on school transport are not fit for purpose in the modern age. They pose in a if
unnecessary risks to pupil safety and wellbeing along with attendant risks for drivers and for the school staff supervising.
“Additionally, the current arrangements cause considerable congestion on North Road during term time, for residents and for those using North Road to exit and enter Whitland to the north of the town.
Mr Kennedy added: “The building of the new bus bays will eliminate existing risks and congestion and ensure a safe arrival and exit to and from school for the very large number of pupils who travel to school on school transport.”
If the plans, which have been lodged by Carmarthenshire
Council, are approved by its own planning committee, the coach park will be accessed from an existing single track access road from West Street.
Several letters of support from residents in the town have also been received by the county council. Among them is Suzanne Davies, who said: “I would agree it is going to very beneficial to the town and especially North Road to take the school coaches into a car park specifically for their use.
“Trying to get through North Road at school drop-off and pick-up is very difficult and I do notice that parents are now bringing and taking their children from the car park behind the rugby club which is blocking spaces for use by shoppers in the town.
“They then have to cross the road in West Street which, even though there is a 30mph speed limit, cars do travel rather quickly and which in time may cause an accident.”
Another resident, Rodney Powell wrote in his letter: “The current bus parking area off North Road is not large enough and is not fit for purpose it is dangerous. Buses have to reverse into their respective bays, which directly impacts on traffic on the public highway.
“This often causes gridlock on North Road, which causes long queues and traffic having to mount pavements to allow other vehicles by.”
He added the whole town would benefit from the scheme and that a dedicated bus parking area was “very important” for pupils, staff and parents and guardians.
The plans will be discussed by Carmarthenshire Council planning committee in the future.