A GROUP of parents have accused teachers of putting their children’s safety at risk by parking on a playground.

Construction work is ongoing at Higher Lane Primary School in Egerton Road, Whitefield, to turn a former adult education centre into offices for Bury Council children’s services.

It meant the staff car park had to be shut. Instead, they are parking on the infants’ playground, leading to a protest from parents.

A total of 82 parents have signed a petition calling for the school governors to ban parking on the infants’ playground.

Naomi Fisher, aged 37, of Westbourne Avenue, Whitefield, has a six-year-old daughter, Lauren, at the school.

She said: “We are concerned because our children may be at risk when cars are leaving and entering the car park.

“It would be easy enough for one of them to go unnoticed and get knocked down.

“Also, ball games might damage their cars.

“Our children need a place to play and it is not right that cars such take priority over them.”

Headteacher Lesley Isherwood wrote to parents of all 452 pupils to say members of staff needed a place to park at their place of work. The building work is set to go on until February.

Mrs Fisher added: “In the letter, the school has reaffirmed its position that it is doing nothing wrong.

“We will not settle for anything less than reopening the playground fully and getting teachers to park elsewhere.

“It is a very good school and I feel very pleased to have my daughter there, but all parents feel strongly about issues like this.”

Mrs Isherwood said: “The small area of the infant playground used temporarily for parking has been made secure.

“The children are, therefore, able to continue to play and mingle safely in an appropriately sized space as well as continuing to have full access to the school field.

“An overwhelming majority of parents have expressed their support for us at this time and recognise the inconvenience caused to all.

“The parents have been kept fully informed of the situation. We have welcomed the co-operation from so many of our parents.”