Residents call for change over 'dangerous' Flintshire street

Whitford Street, in Holywell, transcends into ‘chaos’ every weekday when it comes to school pick up times.

Residents have spoken about the problems they face daily by parents; their drives being blocked due to a complete neglect of traffic restrictions by waiting cars and the countless number of "near misses" they have witnessed relation to children crossing the road.

The street has been described as a "free for all" from 2:15pm, with the pickup situation outside St Winefried’s school getting out of hand.

There is a huge concern for the safety of the children when crossing the road as the build-up of cars minimises a safe place to cross for the hundreds that pile out every day.

A resident who wishes to remain anonymous said she witnessed a parent "drag her child into the road first" which resulted in her having to beep her horn and swerve the car.

Jayne Hallett, 57, has lived on Whitford Street for over a decade and has spoken about how the daily turmoil has affected her life.

“I can’t just go out and get a pint of milk or shopping, I have to wait and plan my day around the pickup times, or I simply won’t be able to get back into my home with parents blocking my drive.”

Jayne revealed how she questioned a local councillor in person and bluntly asked “are you waiting for a death?” in relation to imposing safer measures onto the street.

Jayne recalled an incident where a medical emergency concerning her late father coincided with the busy pick-up time, to which an ambulance was unable to reach her dad due to being unable to park outside her house, and the paramedic received abuse from waiting parents when asked if some room could be made.

When asked what steps have been taken to try and bring order to Whitford Street, another resident who has asked to remain anonymous said: “I’ve sent pictures and messages to the councillor who deals with this area, I told him it was a disgrace, and I had no response from him.”

“I’ve been trying to get the council to at least try and do something for well over a year and I’ve just been fobbed off.”

Ms Hallett also said: “Every now and again they will send out a traffic warden and he will monitor but as soon as he’s gone, it just returns to normal.”

“I’d just like people to give me respect and to respect the people who live here and not give them and mouth full of abuse.”

“A lolly-pop lady or a zebra crossing would at least stop the traffic and allow people to cross safely.

In response, a spokesperson for Flintshire County Council said: “Flintshire share the concerns raised by local residents. 

"We have been successful in gaining funding this year to carry out an options appraisal for scheme development in the vicinity of St Winefrides Catholic Primary School, Whitford Street, Holywell to identify what improvements can be made.  We have appointed consultants to carry out the feasibility work and this will take some time to complete.

"Schools regularly communicate with parents to ask them to observe traffic regulations and to be courteous to local residents when dropping off and collecting children from school. Unfortunately, traffic and parking restrictions in place are being ignored.

"Our civil parking enforcement teams are regularly called to attend the school due to complaints from local residents and penalty notices have been issued.  It is disappointing that this action does not seem to be deter people, who are willing to break the law and park dangerously on double yellow lines or in the bus stops.

"There is a crossing facility further down the hill and there is a pedestrian refuge outside the school to enable crossing, but we will consider what other options are feasible as has been suggested.  As with a number of our school crossing patrol sites, we continue to struggle to recruit to the roles.

"Any interventions identified through an options appraisal will require additional funding for implementation in 2023-2024.”

St Winefried’s primary school declined to comment.