RINGGOLD, Ga. — There’s no reason school buses can’t pick up students along Bible Road inside the Village Green mobile home park, rather than at Prater Road, Catoosa County commissioners were told Tuesday.

“It is a public road and it was never officially abandoned,” County Attorney Skip Patty told commissioners who were discussing problems associated with the Prater Road school bus stop.

People who live in the neighborhood south of Ringgold Road and west of Mack Smith have complained to commissioners about the bus stop and about traffic on Bible Road, which enters the 100-home park off Prater Road. Bible became the only access to Village Green when commissioners in 2005 gated Everglades and Biscayne roads to put the brakes on speeders.

Prater Road resident Charles Kerley complained to commissioners last month about problems caused by putting a school bus stop for Village Green students at the intersection of Bible and Prater roads. Mr. Kerley said parents parked cars and students walked in the road in the morning and afternoon, hindering traffic. He said emergency vehicles would be unable to pass on the road at those times.

School Superintendent Denia Reese has said the school system considered Bible Road to be a private road, and therefore off-limits to school buses. On Tuesday, Mr. Patty said it is public and buses may use it.

Commissioner Bobby Winters, who represents the area, said he wanted the school system notified immediately.

“We need to tell them today,” Mr. Winters said. “We are ready to move on this.”

County Manager Mike Helton said he will consult with school officials and roads department Director Charles Taylor on the best option for school buses. He said some barriers, including a metal pole and speed humps, will have to be removed.

Tina Baine, a Bible Road resident since 1979, said the other road closures created problems on her street.

“Since the gates were put up at Everglades and Biscayne, I’ve watched people fly up and down on Bible Road,” Ms. Baine said. “The gates didn’t resolve the speeding problem, it was just dumped on Bible Road.”

She asked commissioners to consider reopening either Everglades or Biscayne to help alleviate traffic on Bible Road. Mr. Patty said neither road was closed officially and they remain public roads.

Doyle Brewer said he has lived for more than 50 years on Biscayne Road. He said the neighborhood has been a much better place since the two roads paralleling Prater Road were closed in 2005.

“Those gates have been a blessing,” Mr. Brewer said. “Before the gates were up, I’ve been almost run over by kids driving 75 mph. I’ve had my mailbox knocked down several times.

“I can walk to church now, it’s such a difference,” he said.

Mr. Clark instructed Mr. Helton to talk with Sheriff Phil Summers about the speeding problem on Bible Road.

“Dealing with speeders in an area that’s about 200 yards long shouldn’t be a problem,” Mr. Clark said.

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