Congestion in Sherwood Way should ease from Monday after the reopening of the main pub car park over the weekend.

The Sherwood pub in Fulwood has been shut since last Sunday for extensive refurbishment, both inside and out, which resulted in the closure of both car parks, and the footpath access across the front of it, on health and safety grounds.

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This caused problems for parents dropping pupils off at Sherwood Primary School in the morning and picking them up again in the afternoon, with many having to walk to and from the Asda superstore on Eastway.

General manager of The Sherwood pub Gemma Reeve said: “The main car park, which also houses North Preston Evangelical Church, is now open and will be available on Monday morning.

“We are hoping the other one will be handed back to us on Monday lunchtime and will be open from the afternoon.”

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In a bid to ease the congestion, infant and senior classes were staggered at the school last week, with infants finishing half-an-hour earlier, but normal times are set to return next week for the 400 pupils.

In her weekly newsletter to parents, school headteacher Jodie Lumb explained: “We have experienced challenging circumstances, following closure of both car parks for health and safety reasons.

“Thank you for all of your support at both the beginning and the end of the day. It is expected that one car park will be open on Monday morning and we have been advised that both car parks will be re-open by Tuesday. School session times therefore return to normal next week for all children (8.55am-3.30pm).”

It is not only the school that has been inconvenienced.

Colin Fisher was walking his dogs as usual when his normal route across the front of the pub was fenced off.

He said: “I have been very concerned as it forces you to either cross over on a dangerous bend or to walk in the road.

“I was nearly run over while walking my dogs, so you will appreciate I’m none too happy!”

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Ms Reeve added: “We are obviously sorry for any disruption but, with scaffolding up and the use of heavy machinery, we were left with no option but to take the measures we did on health and safety grounds.

“Our contractors have worked hard to get the car parks open as quickly as possible and, hopefully, everything will be back to normal by Monday afternoon.

“And we are all on track for our grand reopening on Thursday night followed by a packed weekend of entertainment.”