DANGEROUS driving and abusive behaviour have forced a school to make its grounds a no-go zone for parents’ cars at dropping-off and picking-up times.

Although three weeks’ notice was given of the new rule at Bradford Girls’ Grammar School in Squire Lane, it caused what some parents described as mayhem and chaos.

A new barrier has been installed at the top gate where parents used to drive through the grounds on a one-way system to drop children off, managed by grounds staff.

A ‘no entry’ sign also blocks off the middle gate to traffic, and electronic gates have been put in place at the third gate for a number of months.

School principal Kathryn Matthews told parents in a letter that the new access restriction was because of an increase of cars and a sharp rise in dangerous driving incidents reported by residents, Council wardens, police officers, pupils and staff, as frustrated drivers were getting caught up in traffic connected to the school and nearby Bradford Royal Infirmary.

The school is still lobbying the Council for drop-off zones and limited parking times in Squire Lane, along with a pedestrian crossing to help.

Mrs Matthews said after an in-depth report, which also revealed grounds staff were being verbally abused and threatened as they tried to manage cars in and out, and also that staff vehicles were being damaged by careless drivers, it was clear the one-way access system it had been operating was untenable and a significant threat to pupils’ safety.

She said: “The school has expended considerable time and effort in researching possible solutions to address this very real danger and has finally come to the conclusion that the safest way forward is to limit vehicle access to the school campus.”

She said the report had been provided to parents and added: “This was a carefully thought out decision and as a school, the safety of all our pupils and staff must take priority. We will continue to lobby the Council for road safety improvements, in particular a pedestrian crossing outside the school grounds.”

Police and local Council wardens have been out in Squire Lane this week to help manage the new restriction but some drivers and parents contacted the Telegraph & Argus, describing the change as causing mayhem and chaos.

Terry Whitaker, of Eldwick, who has been dropping his granddaughter off at school over the past six years, was one of them.

He said: “With all the fences and gates and barriers put up now it would be easier to get in to Armley prison. It’s been utter chaos caused by this idiotic decision to stop cars going into school.

“If they say it’s because of safety, I just can’t see the logic of it. How many children have been knocked down in the school yard? None.”

A Council spokesman said it had been working closely with the school and the police to address traffic issues in Squire Lane.