PARENTS fear a new housing estate next to a school in Haydon Bridge could put the safety of children at risk.

They believe Bellway Homes’ new 75-home development will increase traffic on Langley Road, opposite Shaftoe Trust Primary School.

The developer was given the go-ahead in August to build new homes at the Showfield, adding to the 45 houses constructed there almost a decade ago.

But Langley Road provides access to both the school and the Showfield estate, and parents say it is already busy enough.

They also have concerns over speeding on Langley Road, which is the main route into the village from the south.

A small number of parents attended a meeting of Haydon Parish Council on November 24.

One said: “At the start and end of the school day, there are cars parked outside the school, and it’s already a busy road.

“It’s a 30mph limit, but some motorists drive too fast along there. Many other schools have a 20mph limit on roads outside. I just worry that if you’ve got more houses at the Showfield, there will be more traffic.”

Local county councillor Alan Sharp said: “I am concerned about the safety of schoolchildren there.

“I am aware of the issues at this location, and I have spoken to the police and the county council.

“I think we need to draw up a scheme which aims to improve road safety there and reduce congestion at peak times.”

Coun. Sharp said a wide range of possible solutions should be investigated, including road markings and signage, making motorists aware that they are approaching a school crossing.

Coun. Sharp said he would work with the police and Northumberland County Council’s highways department, and report back at the parish council’s next meeting, on December 15.

The meeting also heard concerns about additional traffic on Shaftoe Street, as a result of the new development.

Shaftoe Street has been a bottleneck for decades, with cars parked on both sides of the narrow road.

In granting permission to Bellway Homes in August, county planning chiefs said there was no evidence that additional traffic would affect the area sufficiently to refuse the application.

Bellway insist the development can be adequately accommodated without an adverse impact on traffic issues.