King Edward VI College has issued a direct request to parents and guardians to stop using Duke Street for student drop-offs and collections, after queues from the small road have repeatedly spilled onto the Stourbridge Ring Road. The college said the congestion is creating safety concerns for students and staff and is significantly affecting traffic flow around the Ring Road.
The message, sent to families, states: “Due to safety concerns arising from vehicles queuing on Duke Street and blocking the Stourbridge Ring Road we must ask that parents and guardians do not use Duke Street for student drop-off or collection. Students should instead be dropped off and collected from alternative locations, such as Lower High Street.”
The college added: “The congestion being caused on Duke Street is creating safety concerns for both students and staff and is having a significant impact on traffic flow around the Ring Road. We therefore require all families to support this request. Thank you for your cooperation and understanding.”
Coaches and cars contributing to queues
Duke Street is a narrow road that regularly accommodates coaches dropping off students, which in turn causes cars to queue back onto St John’s Road and the Ring Road. The combination of coach activity and parent vehicles has led to repeated blockages, prompting the college to act.
The college’s request is aimed at easing pressure on the local road network during peak college arrival and departure times. Parents are being encouraged to use alternative drop-off points, with Lower High Street specifically named as a suggested location.
College context and student numbers
King Edward VI College had around 2,320 students at its last Ofsted inspection in 2024, when it was rated Good in all areas and Outstanding in behaviour and attitudes. The college is one of the largest sixth-form providers in the area, and the volume of student traffic is a recurring issue for neighbouring streets.
The college has not indicated whether any enforcement measures will follow, but the message stresses that all families are required to support the request. The situation remains under review as the college monitors traffic conditions around Duke Street and the Ring Road.
