THE issue of congestion and inconsiderate parking on the roads outside Prudhoe’s schools is rumbling on.

The continued problem of traffic chaos on Highfield Lane saw Northumberland County Council propose new parking restrictions last September.

Local residents were consulted on the plans, which included the introduction of double yellow lines on Highfield Lane.

And their response has led the local authority to rethink its proposal and come forward with a new plan to ease congestion in the area.

In a letter sent to residents, programmes officer for highways safety, Dan Fraser, said: “The responses we received showed that the majority of consultees who responded agreed that there was a problem that needed to be resolved but didn’t think that the proposed plan was the best solution.”

The revised parking restrictions will see three areas allowing for unrestricted pick-up and drop-off introduced along the stretch of Highfield Lane to the south of Highfield Middle School.

The “school keep clear” area, in force between 8am and 5pm Monday to Friday, at the entrance of Highfield Middle School will be extended.

And a long stretch of Highfield Lane, from just south of the town cemetery to past the Church of Our Lady and St Cuthbert will be “no loading”.

The no-loading area will be imposed from Monday to Friday between 8.15am and 9.30am, and 2.45pm and 4pm.

It will also restrict vehicles from stopping on single yellow lines during school drop-off and pick-up periods.

The county council anticipates that the revised plan will alleviate pressure on surrounding residential estates, reduce traffic speeds, and improve traffic flow and road safety.

Comments on the new proposals must be made before Wednesday, February 15.

Responses can be given via email to HighwaysPro gramme@northumberland .gov.uk, or in writing to Highways Programmes, County Hall, Morpeth, Northumberland.

To view the revised plans, visit trafficconsult.northumberland.gov.uk.