Residents in a cul-de-sac set to become the access to a new special school claim it “just isn’t viable”.

Plans for a new Breakspeare School site in the disused former Durrants School playing field, next to Little Green Junior School in Croxley Green, were submitted on March 5 and specified that the site would be accessed through Manor Way.

The news sparked fears among the quiet road’s residents, who say that it is too narrow and twisting to support traffic for a school which will have 169 parking spaces.

Watford Observer: Steve Middleton (left) and Cllr Chris Lloyd (right) in Manor Way where it would be extended to form the site access.Steve Middleton (left) and Cllr Chris Lloyd (right) in Manor Way where it would be extended to form the site access. (Image: Cllr Chris Lloyd)

Manor Way resident Steve Middleton said he and others are “delighted” that the land will be used for a special school but are opposed to Manor Way being the way to get there.

“It’s the access road, which is too narrow with no visibility, it twists and turns,” the 61-year-old said, adding that it would be impossible for two minibuses to pass each other.

“It's basically unviable and inconceivable they could use this road.”

On Wednesday (April 3), a petition calling for a rethink on the access plans was launched by Croxley county councillor Chris Lloyd. It has so far gathered 68 signatures.

During a pre-application consultation which started in December, five other access options were considered, but many residents now say they cannot get their heads around why Manor Way was eventually considered suitable.

Carolyn Sinisi emphasised that a narrow point in the road was less than five metres wide and claimed Manor Way “was not built to manage through-traffic”.

Watford Observer: The proposed site access through Manor Way.The proposed site access through Manor Way. (Image: Google Maps/Canva)

She said the decision felt “rushed” and suggested it may have been chosen due to cost without considering the effect.

Eilish Joyce, 74, who also lives in Manor Way, added: “It’s going to be absolutely chaos during school time and pick-up and drop-off times.

“Also, when they come to build in the school, how are they going to get the vehicles up? It’s only a little cul-de-sac.”

Watford Observer: CGI showing how the completed school would look.CGI showing how the completed school would look. (Image: Hertfordshire County Council/Holmes Miller)

A Hertfordshire County Council spokesperson said: “The planning application has been submitted to the Spatial Planning team at Hertfordshire County Council and will be considered and determined upon by the county council’s Development Control Committee.

“If approved, Breakspeare School will be able to accommodate 210 pupils in its new building, once it opens in spring 2026.”

They highlighted that the plan is part of the authority’s £91m investment in expanding SEND provision, which involves creating 1,000 new SEND school places in specialist and mainstream schools by 2026.

Watford Observer: Cllr Chris Lloyd at the site access.Cllr Chris Lloyd at the site access. (Image: Cllr Chris Lloyd)