Council boss ‘concerned’ over school closures due to A66 crash funeral

The funeral of Jakub Matusiak – one of the five people in the Volkswagen Passat who died in the South Bank crash on August 22 – is set to take place tomorrow (September 4). 

The head-on crash, which took place between a marked Cleveland Police armed response vehicle and the Passat, which was travelling the wrong way, also took the lives of PC Matthew Blades and PC Tom Clough. 

Several schools, as well as Normanby Medical Centre on Normanby Road, have today announced that they will be closing early due to the disruption expected by the funeral. 

It will take place at St John the Evangelist Church on Normanby Road. 

Earlier today, the Shadow Education Secretary said children should not be kept out of classrooms and called on Education Secretary Lucy Powell to “ensure that this does not impact on the honest and decent pupils, parents and teachers”. 

Now, Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council leader, Cllr Alec Brown, has said it is “awful” that children’s education is being disrupted. 

He also issued a clear message that any dangerous riding, reckless driving, or antisocial behaviour is not acceptable.

He said: “I fully understand that funerals are deeply personal occasions, and I respect the right of families to grieve. 

Two police officers are among seven people who have died following a devastating crash on the A66 in Teesside (Image: North News & Pictures Ltd)

“But I am deeply concerned that schools in our area have felt they have no option but to close early because of fears about the impact on our roads, including the potential presence of large numbers of motorcycles, quad bikes and other vehicles.

“Our children should be able to attend school safely and without their education being affected by events happening elsewhere. 

“Parents should not be put in the position of having to make alternative arrangements for their children because schools are worried about road disruption or potentially dangerous behaviour.

“And potentially losing income for work.

“I think it is awful that our children’s education is being disrupted because of concerns about what might happen on our roads.

“If anyone intends to use tomorrow as an excuse for dangerous riding, reckless driving, road blockages or antisocial behaviour, my message is clear: that is not acceptable.

“Our children, teachers and families should not have to bear the consequences.

“As leader of Redcar and Cleveland Council, I am seeking assurances that everything possible is being done to keep our communities safe and minimise disruption.

“We can show compassion for grieving families while still being absolutely firm about protecting our children, our roads and our communities.”

A spokesperson for the council said the decision to close schools early followed discussions between local headteachers and the authority over anticipated traffic and transport disruption.

They said the decision was made after “careful consideration of the potential impact on home-to-school transport and the departure of pupils, staff and families at the end of the school day”.

Jakub Matusiak, 23. (Image: SOCIAL MEDIA)

They said: “Schools have worked with the local authority and transport providers to consider arrangements for pupils, including those who travel to and from specialist educational settings.

“We recognise that early closure may cause inconvenience for some parents and carers, and we thank them for their understanding and co-operation.”

Planned school closures tomorrow include:

• Archway Academy Teesville: 11.45am
• St Peter’s: 12pm
• South Bank Primary School: 12pm
• Outwood Academy Normanby: 12pm
• St Margaret Clitherow’s Catholic Primary School: 12.15pm
• Mackenzie Thorpe School will be closed all day.
• Nunthorpe is due to remain open as usual.

At South Bank Primary, pupils using local authority transport will be collected from school at 11.30am.

Parents and carers have been advised to collect children from their usual collection points when their school closes.

Children who usually walk home alone can leave at an earlier time to normal.

A previous memorial for Matusiak near the crash site, featuring orange balloons, fireworks and masked bikers, sparked mixed reactions within the local community over the tone of the event.

Police investigations into the circumstances of the collision are continuing.

Earlier this week, a fundraiser launched for the families of the two Cleveland Police officers reached its target, surpassing £1.2 million.