CALLS have been made for more space to drop off children outside a Darlington primary school.

Parents claim congestion outside Alderman Leach Primary School could cause a serious accident.

The school, in Alderman Leach Drive, in West Park, has six drop-off points.

However, parents have said this is not enough and the extra traffic from a nearby building site is making matters worse.

The school moved from its old site in Bates Avenue last February.

One mother, who has a son in Year Six at the school, has said that, since the move, many parents whose children walked to school now live too far away to travel in by foot.

The woman, who asked not to be named, said: "The council will say that they want people to walk to school, but if you've got children at other schools or a young child that's not possible.

"I personally live a few miles away so I've got to use the car.

"I wouldn't want to just drop my son off near to the school."

The woman said that because of the shortage of spaces, people parked along the road, making it difficult for other cars to manoeuvre near to the school.

She added: "At about five to three, it's a shambles.

"It's absolutely disgusting, and it doesn't help when you've got lorries going down there.

"It could be very dangerous and if there was an emergency, there's not enough space for an ambulance to turn around.

"I know some parents are waiting until after nine to bring in their children to avoid the problem."

A Darlington Borough Council spokeswoman said: "Drop-off points are created to allow parents to drive their children to school but when we build new schools we also try to encourage as many pupils as possible to walk or cycle.

"We urge parents at Alderman Leach not to park in the drop-off points as this can cause congestion problems.

"In recent weeks there have been problems because of the construction work taking place opposite the school, but the council is working to resolve this."