EDUCATION inspectors have expressed concern about the safety of pupils walking to school along a dangerous stretch of road.

Standards watchdog OFSTED said in a report that problems are caused by a lack of parking spaces at Great Kingshill Combined School.

Parents and staff have to park along the brow of Cryers Hill which means children cross the road in between parked cars.

The report said: "The headteacher and governing body have made strenuous efforts to convince the authorities of the need to improve the car parking arrangements for staff and parents.

"To date they have been unsuccessful, and the safety of pupils outside the school remains a serious cause for concern."

Headteacher Roger Dodds said: "The basic problem is that the car park we have in school is too small for the staff and some of the staff have to park on the roadside and it creates a major hazard.

"We have had at least two meetings that have involved county road staff looking at the situation and we have got absolutely nowhere. The argument is that no one has been killed so far.

"But we have had several accidents out here. It's within ten metres of the derestricted zone so it's a very fast road. We have looked at extending the car park but the county council always says it's too expensive."

A spokesman for Buckinghamshire County Council said the problem should ease in September when the number of pupils is reduced after the change in age of transfer.

She said: "Clearly the number of cars being parked is likely to go down as well when there are less pupils being brought to school."

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