Over the past two years, Harrow Borough Council has had to expand primary schools all over the borough.

With more young people than ever in the borough, we have already expanded 13 primary schools, with another 16 schools planned for expansion, including three special educational needs school and the plan to expand Whitefriars Community School to a secondary school.

With all school expansions there will always be a certain amount of disruption and I would like to thank all teachers, parents, pupils and residents for their patience and hard work during this expansion programme.

I know the biggest concern for local residents is the issue of traffic and parking around schools.

In cases like Bentley Wood School, solutions were found where the council was able to work collaboratively with residents and schools.

The council is also working closely with Transport for London to develop travel plans to minimise traffic and congestion around schools.

I know it’s not always possible, but I would also appeal to all parents to find ways of minimising the use of cars, whether by walking or sharing the school run with other parents in order to reduce the amount of traffic in these often narrow residential streets.

So for the current consultation with Grimsdyke and Weald Infant and Junior Schools, I would encourage all residents, as well as parents and teachers, to work together and engage with the ongoing consultations in order to find a solution that is acceptable to all parties.

Cllr Simon Brown

Lab/Headstone South

Portfolio holder for children, schools & young people Harrow Borough Counci