Worried Birmingham communities have hit out over plans for a group of “titan” primary schools, each capable of accommodating almost 1,000 pupils.
Objections have been received to a £47 million plan to build extra classrooms at 15 city schools from people concerned over the impact on local roads and facilities.
The city council said the expansion plan must be approved to cope with a 21 per cent increase in the birth rate since 2001.
An additional 9,500 places for five-year-olds have to be found by September 2012.
But teachers and parents at two schools identified to take 420 more pupils fear existing traffic problems will become even worse.
They say that at Chad Vale school in Edgbaston and Park Hill in Moseley, parking was already difficult enough when dropping off children.
They were also concerned about loss of play space when land is taken for the new classrooms.
A plan to double the size of Wood End primary, from 420 to 840 pupils, is being questioned by local councillor Ian Ward.
He pointed out that a new dining room built recently at the school, costing £3 million, can only seat a maximum of 150 children.
Coun Ward (Lab Shard End) added: “If we are to have 840 pupils then that means six dining sessions a day. That is two hours of eating.”
He said there were concerns about replacing a playground due to be swallowed up by the new classrooms.
Coun Ward said: “Many primary schools in Birmingham are on pretty tight sites with little room for development.
“There are also potential traffic problems outside of schools when they have to take in more pupils.”
Cabinet member Les Lawrence said schools identified for expansion had been chosen after extensive consultation.
If the council did not make sure sufficient places existed for reception class children by 2012, it could be taken to court by parents, he warned.
Coun Lawrence (Con Northfield) promised further discussions with schools in an attempt to iron out parking and traffic difficulties.
