Avanti Grange introduces 30-minute school pick-up delay in bid to ease congestion and improve safety

Parents have been banned from entering Avanti Grange’s campus to pick up pupils until 30 minutes after the school day ends.

Head Rhys Jones has written to families to tell them the new collection arrangements are effective from Monday, July 7.

He wrote: “Following a recent review and with future growth in mind, the school has made the decision to restrict on-site vehicle access for collection until after 4.15pm, which is 30 minutes after the end of the school day.

“We therefore ask that you make safe and appropriate arrangements for collecting your children off-site.”

On Wednesdays, when school ends earlier, access will be allowed from 3pm.

The new secondary, at Newland Avenue, is part of the Bishop’s Stortford North developments of Stortford Fields and St Michael’s Hurst.

Last year, the consortium of housebuilders behind the Stortford Fields estate sanctioned the introduction of £100 fines for drivers stopping on Newland Avenue in a bid to beat congestion. The move prompted a storm of protest from parents, who said they were being penalised for getting caught in traffic jams.

Mr Jones told parents that the consortium had warned that fines might be reintroduced if they queue, stop or park along Newland Avenue.

He said: “The decision has been made primarily in the interests of safety. The current situation, with vehicles queuing on Newland Avenue up to 30 minutes before the end of school, often results in cars travelling on the wrong side of the road for extended stretches, which presents significant risks.

“In addition, as the homes directly opposite Avanti Grange become occupied, it is essential that local residents are able to access their properties safely and without obstruction.”

He said the new arrangements aligned with rules at other secondary schools in the town. Access for coaches, the Herts Lynx minibus service and private taxis is unchanged.

Avanti Grange opened in 2022, sharing the Avanti Meadows Primary School campus, off Farnham Road, for the first year. Staff and students moved into Newland Avenue in September 2023, and the secondary has 469 pupils in Years 7 to 9, with a new cohort arriving to start Year 7 in September.

Last month, Ofsted gave the secondary top marks in all areas and Mr Jones told the Indie: “Due to the popularity of our outstanding school, we are hugely oversubscribed again next year. As a result, we are expecting an additional 80-100 vehicles using the single entrance to the Stortford Fields development.

“Therefore, in the interest of safety for our students and other road users, we have taken this decision to not allow parent vehicles on the school site. This decision will also align us with the majority of secondary schools in Bishop’s Stortford.

“We continue to lobby the consortium and East Herts Council to open up more road access and improve the infrastructure, such as cycle ways and footpaths surrounding the school.

“The improvement in infrastructure is the only way to fully alleviate the significant traffic congestion which is being experienced on Newlands Avenue.”

Avanti Brook Primary School, which completes the educational provision at Bishop’s Stortford North, is also on Newland Avenue.