To the editor:

I live in the Roberta Plat behind the Barrington Middle School.

On Jan. 31, I was returning home from running errands. The weather was winter dreary. It was lightly raining and cold. When I turned left onto Upland Way from Federal Road, Barrington High School must have just dismissed its students for the day as there were cars pouring out of the back entrance to the BHS parking lot.  Those cars were moving and not blocking any traffic.

As I continued through the light at the intersection of Middle Highway and Lincoln Avenue, there were oncoming cars lined up to turn into BMS’s back entrance. These apparently were parents waiting for their children. This created an overflow of cars onto Lincoln Avenue. These cars were off to the side so other vehicles traveling east on Lincoln Avenue were not blocked.

My car, which was traveling west towards Washington Road, sat there, too. I could not see what was blocking the movement of the vehicles heading west. After about 10 minutes, the cars moved slightly enough that I could see that the crossing guard had stopped the cars because one of the vehicles ahead of me wanted to take a left turn into the BMS’ back entrance. The line of backed-up cars prevented that car’s access into the BMS back entrance.

When I first crossed Middle Highway to continue onto Lincoln Avenue, there were no cars behind me. After waiting 10 minutes, I checked my rear-view mirror to what was happening behind me. The traffic had backed up to the traffic light. I could not see if there was an overflow of traffic into that intersection. I had seen that there were cars parked under the “No Parking Any Time” signs in front of the Barrington Middle School when I crossed Middle Highway.  

Why are cars being permitted to park in restricted areas? Why do the operators believe that the no-parking signs are arbitrary. They are there for safety reasons, which override any operators’ sense of inconvenience.

Why are these traffic situations permitted when the town already provides transportation via school buses?  Caretakers could easily eliminate the traffic congestion by dropping off or picking up the children at their bus stops. 

When do the traffic laws apply? Why isn’t the crossing guard requiring left-turning vehicles holding up the traffic to keep moving? Where is the enforcement of the traffic safety laws?  

Could “No Left Turns Permitted” signs be installed on Lincoln Avenue for the BMS back entrance? These do not need to be 24/7, but the restrictions should be present during the school’s opening and dismissal times.

There are residents in the BMS area that include the elderly, sick, and disabled. An accident or fire can occur at any time to anyone. “Just a few minutes” can mean life or death when it comes to needed emergency services. Those neighborhoods have the right to egress as well as emergency services.

Marcia Weeden

Barrington