From 3 January 2026, access to the Manor Drive Academies will change to a one-way system with traffic entering the school site from the south of the Manor Drive site (A47 / Newborough Road end) and leaving from the north (Porter Avenue, Manor Drive estate end).  This is shown on the diagram below and is confirmed in the Traffic Management Plan, which was a condition of planning permission being granted for building the Manor Drive Academies.

This one-way system, which will be implemented from 3 January 2026, would be a permanent travel restriction and operate at all times of the school day for all users, with the exception of buses that are too large to navigate the turning circle at the north exit.  This change will enable drop off of school children and improve traffic flow across the site. Unfortunately it does not add parking capacity which will continue to be an issue, and we would like to encourage parents to consider car sharing options where possible or ask students to walk to school using designated footpaths when they are old enough to do so.

Park and Stride

The Manor Drive Academies have been designed as Park and Stride schools meaning cars should only access the school grounds where necessary. We aim to minimise the number of cars accessing the site and ask that alternative travel arrangements are considered. This may include walking, use of bikes, use of scooters and car sharing options. Pedestrian access is available via Porter Avenue and the Paston Bridge to supplement the Park and Stride concept.

Traffic Management

The Academies traffic management plan has been agreed with Peterborough Highways and Peterborough City Council to ensure everyone is kept as safe as possible. It ensures the A47 junction is not used as the main access route and traffic flow around the school moves in a specified way.

Site Access

The external gates will be opened to support the drop-off and collection of children at key times within the day.

Vehicle access gates will open from 7:00 am and close at 9:00 am daily.

Gates will open at 3:00 pm for collection Monday to Thursday. Gates will open at 1:45 pm each Friday due to the Secondary School collection.

Access to site outside these times will be available by use of the intercom system.

Manor Drive Academies Traffic Management System

The safety of every individual on school site is the main priority of the Manor Drive Academies. To ensure this is the case, the traffic guidance should by adhered to at all times.

All users of the site are expected to act responsibly, driving with caution and care and within the speed limit of 10mph.

Staff car parks will no longer be accessible to parents. This is to future-proof the site where staff numbers will dramatically increase. All vehicles should utilise the drop-off bay and follow the designated routes on and off site.

Drop-offs should be completed as quickly as possible to allow cars to utilise the drop-off zone effectively. Drivers should ensure they park safely and do not leave gaps between cars to maximise capacity.

Children must only exit vehicles once in the drop-off zones. This prevents the need to cross a busy road and keeps everyone as safe as possible.

On arrival to site, all vehicles should utilise the designated entrance gates. When exiting, all vehicles should utilise the exit gates by pulling up to the marked yellow lines. Drivers should only pass through the exit gates when the marked hatched area is clear. Failure to comply with these rules may result in damage to cars or possible collision.  No responsibility will be taken by the academies in such an instant. All access gates are monitored by 24-hour CCTV which will be reviewed wherever an incident occurs.

When parking off site, we ask that all drivers act responsibly by not obstructing access points to streets, garages and driveways. Cars should not park near junctions or obstruct the access of emergency vehicles. Parents / Carers should park considerately and responsibly and not in a way which could endanger pupils and other pedestrians and road users. Parents should not park where double yellow lines are marked on the highway.

We ask that all parents and staff abide by the traffic guidance to ensure the safety of everyone on site. Once in operation, the plan will be reviewed to ensure the safest solutions are found.

We thank you for your continuing support and patience as we roll out these changes.

The Manor Drive Site

Traffic routes