Parking Changes for Collinsworth Near Schools

Beginning Jan. 3, residents will no longer be allowed to park on the Northeast side of the 100 block of Collinsworth Drive from Athletic Club Boulevard to Manning Drive while dropping off and picking up students at Riverwood Elementary and Riverwood Middle Schools.

The long line of vehicles on both sides of the street is causing such congestion that emergency vehicles would not be able to safely get through the area in case of an emergency, town officials said.

"No Parking" signs will be placed along the street in time for enforcement to begin after the Christmas break.

The move has the support of the Riverwood Athletic Club Community Association, which called the parking situation a "hazard" in a letter to town officials from Community Manager Keith Heiner.

"At times there are vehicles that are parked on both sides of the street that would not allow emergency vehicles to get through in case of emergency," the letter stated. "We believe that no parking signs along with Clayton Police Department enforcement would greatly help this matter."

The measure got the unanimous approval of the Town Council earlier this week.

In a report to Town Manager Steve Biggs, Fire Chief Lee Barbee said emergency vehicles "would have great difficulty passing all the way through with vehicles parked on both sides of the street. In addition, the equipment doors on a fire apparatus or an ambulance could not be opened to get needed equipment without striking a parked vehicle."

The no-parking designation is being delayed until after the Christmas break to give town officials adequate time to notify residents of the change before official enforcement begins.