SPARK school Weltevreden Park responds to traffic complaints

The most obvious cause of traffic congestion around local schools is vehicles, and the biggest reason for the presence of those vehicles is parents dropping off and picking up their children.

On 14 April some residents in Weltevreden Park expressed their frustration and dismay at the traffic congestion on Albert Street outside SPARK school.

According to the residents, when the school gate is open in the morning and afternoon, traffic comes to a standstill as some parents park in the middle of the road and block traffic flow.

On Tuesday, 13 April SPARK Schools welcomed back 80 per cent of their scholars for the second term, which meant an increase in scholar attendance compared to the first term.

Bailey Thomson Blake, spokesperson and Chief of Schools at SPARK Schools responded to the issue.

“We are aware that this has resulted in traffic congestion around SPARK Weltevreden Park and we sincerely apologise for any inconvenience community members experienced during the first week of term two. We are working with parents to improve the efficiency of arrivals, which is slower than usual due to mandatory Covid-19 symptom screening; however, we’re confident that as parents become accustomed to arrivals and dismissals, traffic will be relieved.

“Furthermore, the first week of term two is comprised of minimum days, where all scholars are dismissed at 1pm, allowing us to conduct afternoon report card conferences. This has also resulted in traffic congestion. However, for the remainder of the term, Mondays are minimum days, and Tuesdays to Fridays dismissal is staggered from 2.30pm to 4pm per grade level, which will allow for improved traffic flow. At SPARK Schools we value the communities in which our schools are located and we want to work together to ensure that the school is a positive force for good in the neighbourhood. We welcome an opportunity to meet with the community resident representatives so we can collaborate more closely in the future.”