All Saints Primary School, Tattysallagh has grown over recent years in both numbers and structure. However the car parking facilities and pick up points for the school have not kept up with demand for a long time now. Children and families who are connected to the primary school along with nearby residents are at significant risk of being harmed due to the lack of available parking near the school grounds. As this is on a 60MPH speed zone and families are expected to walk across the road to leave/collect their children, there is daily risk to life and limb. Spaces for parent and staff parking are minimal and are nowhere near meeting requirements. Even visits from the Library van are a potential hazard as children access this van on the side of this busy 60MPH road. We need to put the safety of our children first!

An incident or accident is waiting to happen. Someone will get seriously hurt if nothing is done! There is constant congestion on a daily basis at the school. Our principal has secured funding for a new car park in the area beside the school on Corradinna Road. This would provide a one way system for the safe collection and drop off of our children plus additional parking spaces. The PSNI have visited the school and have strongly agreed that action is needed. The EA have agreed on the new car park and an architect and Road service have all been involved over the past 4.5 years. Survey work has already been carried out. At present DE are awaiting written approval from the Trustees of the parish/diocese. This has been the status for a very long time.

Our school has already exhausted all resources and teachers have adapted their working day to suit this huge problem by having staggered collection times, however the problem and the danger remains. As parents and carers we want our children to have maximum time and effort spent on their school day. Teachers and classroom assistants should not have to coordinate staggered pick up times when a solution has been identified and so much work has already been done to make it a reality.

As the school has outgrown the current parking facilities, NOW is the time to act before a serious accident or incident becomes the force to get this over the line. We need action! We need a safe car park for all staff and families including parents/carers, grandparents etc.. A safe drop off and collection for our children is a minimum requirement. Therefore, we urge everyone to please sign our petition and help us get this issue resolved safely and soon. Thank you in advance for your support.