10:41am Friday 12th May 2006
By Charlie Stong
A SECOND South Woodford estate is being plagued by learner drivers after driving schools were told to cut the amount of lessons on the Firs Estate.
The Firs Estate made national headlines recently after the Guardian first reported it was being used by over 330 driving schools. On one day alone 351 learners were spotted using the estate in just 12 hours.
And now, anxious to avoid the publicity glare following advice from driving school bosses, many of the learners are leaving the Firs Estate and snarling up other areas.
The Nightingale estate and the area around Nightingale Primary School, in Ashbourne Avenue, have become prime targets.
Liz Barrett, headteacher at the school, said: "The situation is dangerous.
I am concerned about the number of learners, particularly those at around 1pm when the small children are being brought in for the afternoon classes. The other day there were ten learners spotted in a matter of minutes.
"I do not think it is unreasonable to suggest a ban on the cars during rush hour when the kids are coming in."
Ann Holmes, parent-governor at the school, said the problem had escalated since the Firs estate stories hit national headlines.
She said: "What I am concerned about is the number of instructors choosing to take the pupils around the vicinity of Nightingale School at 3.30pm when it can be mayhem at the best of times. I think it is extremely inconsiderate.
"The parents at Nightingale School are pressing the council to do something about road safety around the school but we have been told we have to wait until 2009/2010."
A spokeswoman for the British School of Motoring said: "The driving schools have not been told to transfer to specific areas but they have been advised to cut down on their usage of the Firs Estate."
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