Parents to have a say on improving road safety at school
PARENTS of Heron Primary School children will be quizzed on potential road safety improvements in a questionnaire to be sent out this week.
A survey is being completed to re-assess the Abbeydale school's travel plan, last updated five years ago.
Head teacher John Coles says once the results are in, the county council will be approached to help out with funding a new safety scheme.
"It was agreed that Heron Way is a very busy road and it is not safe for children to cycle by themselves," he said.
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"But some of the paths around the school are not wide enough for duel use for pedestrians and cycles.
"We had a meeting with the school governors, county councillor Andrew Gravells, a representative from road safety and someone from the Highways Department to discuss the school's needs and how safety could be improved.
"Children of primary age are not old enough to cycle by themselves, so we are asking parents their views on an accompanied cycle scheme."
The school hopes to have the survey results back by mid-February.
A £10,000 fund has been made available for councillors to spend on highways.
Mr Gravells hopes road safety improvements will encourage more children to cycle into school to help promote health and tackle childhood obesity. He says the scheme should be supported.
"This ticks all the boxes," he said. "Parents and pupils are saying to me they want to cycle to school, and it helps keep the children fit and healthy."
Andre Bovington, road safety team leader at the county council said the scheme would be good for the environment too. He said: "The Road Safety Partnership support any measures that encourage fewer car trips.
"We are delighted that Heron Primary School is reviewing its plans for walking and cycling."
Comments
by Douglasknows
Monday, January 28 2013, 10:46AM
“Not sure on the idea of an 'accompanied' cycle to school plan. Be interesting to find out how many parents agree though. My advice would be to photo-copy the forms before they are sent in because some people might only pay lip service to the result if it isn't to their way of thinking.”