Residents say they feel like ‘prisoners in their own home’ following a decision by a school to close a road to traffic.

Pleckgate High School in Blackburn took the decision to close access to its premises for parents picking up and dropping off their children.

The change took place at the end of last term but people living nearby say they are really feeling the effects of the decision.

It means parents can only pick up or drop off their child on Pleckgate Road itself and cannot enter the school property or roundabout located next to the car park.

The road leading up into the school car park is now blocked by cones twice a day.

One neighbour, who did not wish to be named, said the decision to close the road had caused major issues.

She said: “I have lived here for many years and I understand there is going to be traffic. But this is the worse that I have seen it.

“Closing the road has had an adverse effect on traffic. People are stopping in the middle of the road and someone is going to get hurt.

“I am on the side of the parents and the children. I am happy for them to park outside but closing the road has forced all that traffic on to the main road which is already very busy.

“I think the safety of the children was not taken into consideration when this decision was made.

“It is so busy some people are arriving more than an hour before pick-up time to ensure they get a spot.

“In the afternoon we feel like prisoners in our own homes. It is pandemonium.”

One driver picking his child up from the school said it was nearly impossible to find a spot.

He said: “You only have to look around and see how many people are parked up. Closing the road has caused major issues.

“I got here before 2pm. I should not have to waste so much of my day to ensure I can pick my child up safely.”

Another driver said he parked up at 1.30pm. He said: “If you don’t get here early you don’t get a spot. I don’t blame the residents. The decision to close the road has caused further traffic issues. Things were OK before.”

One parent said the school should have put a one-way system in place.

The school, which is rated ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted, declined to comment.

Blackburn with Darwen Cllr Phil Riley said: “Like many schools, Pleckgate suffers from from poor driver behaviour and inconsiderate parking when the school day ends but the school’s decision to close the access road has certainly not helped. The highways department has been working with the school to try to find a better solution.”