SDLP Derry City Councillor Angela Dobbins has called for DRD Road Service to reignite plans for a bypass at Culmore that would ease traffic congestion that has led to disgraceful scenes against parents leaving their children off at Culmore Primary School.

Ms Dobbins was speaking after a mother claimed that she was spat at and verbally abused by a motorist whilst dropping her children off at the school.

Ms Dobbins said: "I'm calling on DRD Road Service to rethink their decision not to grant a bypass to the area because as we have seen recently, the traffic congestion is leading to disgraceful instances against parents and the lollipop lady.

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"This has caused no shortage of anger and frustration within the school community that they could be targeted by irate motorists through no fault of their own.

"The onus is now firmly on the Department for Regional Development to sort this problem out before it leads to serious problems. What happened to this parent is simply common assault. The safety of the children needs to also be put above all else.

"Motorists must not take their anger out on parents who are being affected by the lack of a bypass just as much and any abuse or threat of abuse is totally intolerable."

(CD)