RESIDENTS near an almost-complete new secondary school are battling to prevent the streets surrounding it "no parking" zones.

About 50 homes owners have signed a petition over proposals by Oldham Council to impose the restrictions near the new Oasis Academy Leesbrook.

Breeze Hill Road, Roxbury Avenue and Gibraltar Street residents are objecting to "no waiting at anytime", "no waiting Monday to Friday between 8am and 5pm" and a "no stopping, keep school clear" zone.

Council chiefs are also implementing a one way system, a 20mph speed limit and traffic calming measures for safety.

The residents have responded by asking for a vehicle permit scheme so they can park directly outside their properties as ALL times.

They also ask for a revision of the restriction times, proposing 8.30am to 10am and 2.30pm to 4pm, to coincide roughly when children will be entering and leaving school.

The residents also want "access only" signs to the homes to prevent parents dropping children off cluttering the roads.

One of the protesters Andrew Colclough said: "Breeze Hill Road is simply not wide enough and does not have enough capacity for so many vehicles to traverse it at peak times.

"The entire area will become gridlocked and the only individuals who will suffer as a consequence are the residents.

"It is to our astonishment that this was chosen as the main entry and exit to the school from the outset."

Breeze Hill Road and Gibraltar Street were originally used as entry and exit to the former Breeze Hill Secondary School where the new Oasis school now stands.

Mr Colclough said: "This was seemingly adequate for a school with 750 pupils, but the Oasis school will have about 1,500 with only one main entrance and exit. Is this really adequate?"

A council spokesperson said: "Following further enquiries from some residents, highways staff are considering possible revision of a daytime restriction on Breeze Hill Road which will relax restrictions on parking to cover school arrival and departure times only.

"In common with all experimental orders, opportunities will be available to fine tune the restrictions once the school has been operational for a few months.

"Experimental orders operate for a period of 18 months and objections can be received during the first six months of their operation.

"If no objections are received the order can be made permanent. However, if objections are received they will be considered by the council’s traffic order panel in the context of the overall situation."