PARENTS have been criticised for creating “chaos” during the school run – as a Worcester primary got backing to double in size.

Eight new classrooms and a teaching block will be created at St Joseph’s RC Primary School in Warndon as part of an expansion that will create 14 new jobs.

The development, which was supported by Worcester City Council’s planning committee, will see pupil numbers increase from 210 to 420. But there are fears schools are becoming “chaotic” due to the number of cars at drop off and collection times.

Councillor Alan Amos said: “So many kids seem to be driven to school these days and I want some reassurances this won’t cause more problems.”

Bon Pender, of Worcestershire Highways, said: “We’ve already had some objections up at County Hall, but the problem is that national parking standards take no account of parental drop-offs.

“Imagine if we said ‘let’s use part of the school grounds for dropping off and pick-ups’ – it would be totally against the modern ethos of tackling obesity. That’s no consolation for disgruntled residents, but there isn’t a school in the county which doesn’t suffer from the school run. I’ve got two close to me and the result is exactly the same, chaos – it’s the same absolutely everywhere. The only way out is more traffic orders, zig-zag lines warning people not to park and a plan to encourage public transport use.”

During the debate, Worcester mayor Councillor Pat Agar said she had her “toes run over” while she was standing on the pavement.

Despite the concerns expressed about traffic, the committee had no objections to the expansion, and will send the feedback to the county council.

The planning committee at County Hall will make a final decision in September.

It includes a toilet block, staff room, group study rooms and a new library in time for September 2014.