Calls for urgent action after school buses get stuck in narrow road

A narrow section of Wotton Road - which is directly outside Kingswood Primary School - has been described as 'dangerous' and 'chaotic' as families are forced to cross the road without a pedestrian crossing.

It comes as a number of school buses on their way to and from Katharine Lady Berkeley's keep getting stuck in the road between the Car Clinic and the primary.

The situation has been exacerbated by the number of parked cars on Wotton Road as there are currently no parking restrictions.

Concerned families and councillors are now urging all bus companies to reroute and avoid Wotton Road entirely by diverting through New Road.

So far, South Gloucestershire Council has rerouted its route with Euro Coaches, however the other service, Applegates has not.

Sian Blackham, a parent who walks her two children to the primary every day said: "This is a big area of concern for parents and residents in Kingswood as it appears all KLB school buses are routed through the village.

"Wotton Road is the main route for children from Kingswood to walk to and from KLB and Kingswood Primary.

"It's a miracle there haven't been any serious injuries or fatalities."

Buses keep getting stuck in the narrow Wotton Road which has been described as ‘dangerous’ for children who go to school nearby (Image: Kingswood Parish Council)

County Councillor Linda Cohen (LD, Wotton) said: "The safety of pedestrians and indeed all road users is a non-negotiable.

"The children of Kingswood are at unnecessary risk making their way to school due to the intransigence of Applegates and GCC officers and their refusal to reroute buses.

"Anyone who has stood at the cross-roads at rush hour and witnessed the dangers would grasp the need to act.

"South Glos answered our plea to reroute immediately.

"I would ask Applegates to follow their lead.

"It is only a matter of time before there is an accident - at which point it will be too late."

There are currently no parking restrictions on Wotton Road (Image: Mike Sloman)

Kingswood Parish Council chair Ken Wood said: "We have been raising the issue with bus companies, Gloucestershire Highways and SGC for some time.

"The pavements are very narrow at this part of the giveaway and this is the main route for children walking from Kingswood to KLB.

"There is not enough room for a bus and other vehicles to pass.

"This leads to frequent manoeuvring and impingement on the pavement.

"Not all the buses need to come through Kingswood as they can access KLB via New Road.

"This is an obvious solution and would put the safety of the school children first.

"SGC has agreed to reroute the buses that it commissions.

"This however still leaves a large number of buses which do not need to use this route doing so."

A GCC spokesperson said: "This is a commercial registered route run by Applegates, and therefore is not one we commission.

"We would remind all residents to park in a considerate and safe manner."

Applegates declined to comment.