A West Belfast primary school is hoping to get a new access road amid concerns parents are facing a “major health and safety issue” at drop-off and pick up time.
Springfield Primary School has gained additional land to “create a safe new access road and for future development” after five years of campaigning.
If construction funding is secured, staff and parents, who currently have to park along the main Springfield Road, will be able to drive into the Invest NI site before turning off the roundabout and onto a new one-way system. Extra staff parking is also to be provided, according to a statement issued this morning by DUP MLA William Humphrey.
The news has been welcomed by School Principal Steven Osborne and Mr Humphrey.
Mr Osborne said: “Being located on a main road, the lack of parking spaces for staff and for parents leaving and collecting their children is a major health and safety issue. At times it is chaotic at school closing time.
“This new access road will come off the roundabout at the entrance to the Invest NI site. It will provide a one-way system with parking spaces, away from the main Springfield Road. Beside this we will have a green area for environmental work and for future development.
“We have had several investments in the school over recent years but this is the first time we have achieved an actual expansion of the school grounds, so it is very positive for us.”
The Education Authority informed the school at the start of September that the derelict land had been purchased from the Department for Communities for the road. Funding to construct the new road has yet to be confirmed so a timescale for the work is unknown at this stage.
William Humphrey added: “Springfield Primary is a very popular and successful school. Its physical site is small by modern standards so I am delighted that the EA has secured this additional land, adjacent to the Springfield Road, to provide this new access road.
“I have been pushing for this outcome for several years and will continue to lobby for funding to construct the new roadway.
“With Belfast City Council also planning so construct a new greenway from the roundabout, leading to the West Circular Road via Paisley Park, we can look forward to much safer travel routes for pupils arriving at the school, whether by car or on foot.”
William Humphrey added his congratulations to the school on its latest award, recognised as the Most Caring Primary School in Belfast, at the Education and Training Awards for 2020.
