PARENTS are being urged to “avoid Laverstock at all costs” while road works are being completed.

Cllr Ian McLennan, who represents Laverstock, Ford and Old Sarum, says traffic problems at Church Road could get worse as children return to school after the summer holidays.

The gas main replacement works outside Wyvern and St Andrews, reaching up towards St Edmunds, have been ongoing for about four weeks. And temporary traffic lights are in place, which Cllr McLennan says have been causing long tailbacks.

Cllr McLennan said: “Even though it is school holidays and we are usually just like a village, with some through traffic, the road has long trails of cars often and to run the gauntlet of the traffic lights and enter and exit the club or the shop, is very difficult indeed, as it is not clear, always, who has the right of way, when you are in the middle.

“You can imagine what will happen with any school traffic at all. Even the school staff may have difficulties. I am not sure how long this will last, although it looks to be a long time, at the moment.”

He is urging parents to make use of the park & ride parking and connecting pathways.

He added: “ It seems to me that action is required by all of us and so, if you have not already done so, I would suggest that parents are advised to avoid Laverstock at all costs.

“We all have an understanding that when the ‘nearest point’ exit is available from Park & Ride on London Road, that parents will be encouraged to use the P&R as the drop off and pick up point.

“This entrance will be provided on completion of the new Aldi store and the linked pathway to the railway tunnel and Bishopdown to Laverstock footpath/cycleway/bridleway will be in place.

“However, although not the perfect solution, it seems that it is time to divert all parents to the park & ride immediately. The walk will be slightly longer for the young folk but not by that much. It should be between 10 and 15 minutes max, depending on walk speed. Many school pupils already use the footpath/cycleway.

“The park & ride will permit an easy parking/drop off and pick up in controlled (white lined) parking conditions, as opposed to the on-street parking in Laverstock, which seems to necessitate arrival hours earlier, in some cases. I would hope that parents will come to prefer this means of drop off/pick up as they get used to it.There are controlled crossings for safety on London Road. These won’t be needed when the final scheme is in place.”