Lessons moved to help ease congestion

SIXTH formers at The Piggott School in Wargrave will start lessons later because of traffic “chaos” at pick-up and drop-off times.

Following meetings with the school’s head, Rebecca Alexander, councillor Wayne Smith said pupils who have 8.30am lessons will start later because of issues with traffic tailbacks.

In a full council meeting on Monday last week, he said many sixth formers, of which 600 attend the school, drive there which further increases traffic congestion.

Last month, the councillors raised concerns about safety and difficulty for emergency vehicles to pass through.

Cllr Smith said: “Rebecca has now changed the starting so the sixth form will start a bit later and that is predominantly the problem because they’re the kids who are driving and most of those come from out of the area.

“There are 1,807 children, 600 of whom are sixth formers and they are coming from Reading, Tilehurst, Shiplake, Henley and so on. The morning is eased. The afternoon is where the problem is.

“Having stood there on many occasions this year and last year, the problem isn’t Wargrave’s problem because if you stand at the entrance, virtually no car turns left.

“Everything is turning right which tells you most of those children are going in that direction.”

Cllr Smith said Mrs Alexander has also written a note to parents to say the school is doing “everything they can” but that parents need to play their part in aiding the issue.

He said: “She wrote a very good note to say that were doing everything we can but you’re going to have to play your part as parents and try to get your children to not use their cars or not drop your children off.”

Meanwhile, a collection of unwanted clothes and shoes is to take place to raise money for Robert Piggott Primary School.

They can be dropped off at the Wargrave recreation ground car park at 8am on Friday, March 7, Friday, June 6 and Tuesday, September 16 and a space will be cordoned off for the donations.

All items must be placed in a bag and tied up securely. Good quality items will be accepted.

Items to drop off include men’s, ladies’ and children’s clothing, paired shoes, handbags, hats, bags, scarves and ties, jewellery, soft toys, belts and household items like linen, curtains, towels and bedding covers and sheets.

Bric-a-brac, books, pillows, cushions and duvets, school uniform and workwear will not be accepted.

The bags will be collected by Bag2School, which gives money to the school according to the weight of textiles collected.

• ROBERT Piggott Infant School is hosting a holiday camp from Monday, February 17 to Friday, February 21.

Activities will be held by Get Active Sports including sports, crafts, outdoor games and team building challenges for children aged four to 12.

Childcare vouchers are accepted. To book a place, email info@getactive
sports.com or call 01344 860868.