A RESIDENT of Rhyl who lives by a primary school in the town has criticised a trial scheme which saw his road close to “non-essential traffic” during school drop-off and pick-up times earlier this week.

Ysgol Bryn Hedydd, on Spruce Avenue, was used for a “School Street” trial, in partnership with Denbighshire County Council and walking and cycling charity, Sustrans, on Tuesday, October 3.

This is part of an initiative to encourage pupils to walk, cycle or “wheel” all or some their way to school.

READ MORE:

Parent fears ‘chaos’ as Rhyl school road to close during pickup times

But a resident of Spruce Avenue said that the trial “just shifted traffic from Spruce Avenue to (nearby) Edgbaston Road; a ‘no through road’”.

The trials will also be held in Ysgol Bryn Collen and Ysgol Y Gwernant in Llangollen next week, then Ysgol y Castell in Rhuddlan the following week.

The resident added: “Closing Spruce Avenue closure by the school to non-residents will put more pressure down Edgbaston Road the back of the school, which is bad enough at the moment for residents.

“We're sick and tired of not being able to leave our house as and when we need during school drop-off and pickup times.

“The plan should be to use the schools grounds inside the outer perimeter fence line to build a drop-off and pickup zone.

“There are more pupils, more cars and more traffic, but the surrounding streets haven't changed and can't cope with the traffic congestion.”

In response, a council spokesperson said: “Denbighshire County Council, along with its partner on the School Street trial, Sustrans, will be gathering feedback on the Ysgol Bryn Hedydd trial over the coming days.

“Similar trials will be held at schools in Rhuddlan and Llangollen over the next fortnight. 

“Once the feedback has been collated from all three trials, Sustrans will provide a written report to the council, which will be shared with the respective schools, participants and residents.”

Prior to Tuesday’s trial, a mother of a pupil at Ysgol Bryn Heddyd said she and other parents have been in “uproar” at the plans.

The trial was marred by “frustrating timing” and “little explanation” having been provided by the school itself, she said.