A HEAD teacher has lashed out at highways chiefs and council officials in a long-running row over traffic restrictions outside his school.

Clive Taylor, the head at Waterfoot County Primary School, says he is sick of the wrangle which was sparked off by the decision to ban heavy vehicles from a bridge on Thornfield Avenue, because it needs urgent repairs.

The ban and the decision to introduce parking restrictions in Thornfield Avenue caused uproar.

The school, most residents in neighbouring streets and businesses are opposed to the move.

County Hall bosses are still struggling to find a solution despite a series of public meetings and traffic surveys.

A bakery and a local garage claim the restrictions make it almost impossible for them to operate.

Mr Taylor said: "The plan to introduce parking restrictions means vans with deliveries for the local bakery are using the road outside the school as a turning circle. "This is already a chaotic site and it really is dangerous in the mornings and evenings. Any more restrictions would just make it even more dangerous."

Site meetings and investigations have been carried out and another traffic study is being planned for Burnley Road East.

A test carried out by the county council earlier this year ended in farce when a lorry became stuck reversing down Thornfield Avenue.

Detailed research has revealed there have not been enough accidents in Thornfield Avenue to introduce speed restrictions.

Mr Taylor added: "I am sick to the back teeth of the whole affair.

"The whole thing is an accident crying out to happen and I have become increasingly frustrated at the attitude of the surveyors and government officials.

"It seems that common sense is not one of the criteria applied when new rules and regulations are introduced."

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