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Outraged school governors and residents have vowed to prevent Ronald
McDonald moving in across the road. Burger giant McDonald's wants to open a
fast food restaurant with car park in Mossley Avenue, off Smithdown Road,
and opposite the Morrison primary school.
But governors are worried the restaurant will attract too much traffic and
endanger pupils at the school. Parent governor Caroline Millar of Elmbank
Road, said: "This will put our children's lives in danger. There would be
cars coming and going along a narrow road all the time." Now the mother of
two is launching a petition against the development.
Arundel ward councillor and chairman of education Paul Clein said the
council's ruling Liberal Democrat group would oppose the development. He
said: "This would be on one of the busiest junctions on the busiest roads in
Liverpool. There would be an intolerable increase in traffic right next to
the school. Plus there are already many takeaways and restaurants along
that stretch of Smithdown Road. It's totally the wrong place for a McDonald's"
Morrison deputy head Tony Gresswell told the Merseymart: "We had a meeting
of the governing body and I was asked to write a letter to the council
objecting to the development. We are objecting on the grounds of the
increase in volume of traffic."
A McDonald's spokesman told the Merseymart the company had had talks with
the highway authorities to ensure minimum disruption. He said: "The busy
times for schools are 8.30am to 9.30, and 3.30pm to 4pm are quiet times for
us, so traffic should not be that big a problem. Obviously we listen to
concerns and are happy to speak to the headteacher and parents."
FAST FOOD CAMPAIGN ROLLING ON
Merseymart
18th February 1999
As concern builds among parents about the siting of a fast food outlet
opposite their children's primary school local councillors are also raising
objections. All three Arundel ward councillors are opposing planning
permission for McDonald's to build a restaurant opposite the Morrison school
in Wavertree. Chairman of education and Arundel ward councillor Paul Clein
has already said that the councils' ruling Liberal Democrat group would
oppose the development. Now Labour ward councillor Paul Brant has joined
campaigners outside the school gates collecting signatures on a petition.
Councillor Brant said: "I'm here to consult with local residents to see if
they agree with me that McDonald's should be refused planning permission
because of the increased traffic. "I am concerned about potential danger
and disturbance to the children who go to the Morrison and increase litter
and noise for local residents" A spokesman for McDonald's said they were in
talks with the highways authorities to ensure minimum disruption and they
were happy to listen to the concerns of local residents and parents.
* Parents of children attending the Morrison handed a petition with more
than 1,000 signatures into the city council on Friday against having a fast
food outlet opposite their school.
BUT WHAT DO THE MORRISON PARENTS THINK?
SASHA KWENDE
I was shocked to hear McDonald's would even consider putting a fast food
outlet directly opposite a primary school. There are so many reasons why I
am against it. For a start, the pressures on parents would be unbearable.
I don't want to be arguing with my children every day about the nutritional
values of having McDonald's for tea. The traffic situation is already bad
enough, to add to it would risk our children's safety not only from
accidents but from increased pollution.
DEBBIE HOY
I just think it's appalling. The pester power from the children would be
unbearable, and what about the impact on local shops? They're bound to lose
out. It also increases the danger of accidents. At present most of the
children are crossed over the road by the lollipop ladies. If they went to
McDonald's, by the time they got out the lollipop ladies would be gone.
INE McKENNA
I have one son at the Morrison and another one who'll be going there and I
think having a McDonald's opposite the school is a potential nightmare,
It's just going to be so much hassle getting them out of the school and
home. And just thinking about more traffic here gives me a headache.
Traffic here is already a problem.
TRACY DICKENS
I have a daughter at the Morrison, a son at Lidderdale and two more young
ones to go through the school. I can see why it's in McDonald's interest to
set up here but it's not in the interest of our children. So many children
have to cross this road to get to and from school and Smithdown Road is
already congested enough. | 
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