Pupils left in tears at taxi chaos

Police stopped taxis dropping children off outside their special school, forcing teachers to stop traffic and walk them across the busy road.

Parents who witnessed the "chaos", caused after police turned up to enforce zigzag "no stopping" lines near a layby, later blocked the road to stop traffic while the taxis reversed into Halesbury Special School, Halesowen, to collect the "frightened and distressed" youngsters at the end of the day.

The council is now trying to resolve the traffic problem.

The headteacher, caretaker and other staff at the Feldon Lane school, escorted children over the road after the taxis dropping them off yesterday morning were ordered by police to park away from their usual drop-off point.

Dudley Council said the layby was for use by taxi drivers dropping people at the school, and the zigzag markings were to stop others stopping there.

The council is now arranging for a sign making it clear that the layby can be used by taxis.