Search for
Search for
Search forBlackspot has to be removed
Wednesday, July 23, 2008, 08:00
The highways department has held a site meeting to discuss improvements to a corner near Amberley School adventure play area and the Amberley village children's playground.
Stroud MP David Drew met worried parents and grandparents at a local playgroup to discuss plans for a crash barrier at the spot.
In May, a car went straight ahead on the bend at Minchinhampton Common and dropped down the steep hillside into the school grounds.
The driver and passenger escaped without serious injury.
Eight months before a car skidded off the road in a similar incident.
Coun Stan Waddington, cabinet member for highways at Gloucestershire County Council attended the site meeting.
He said a barrier would be visually intrusive on the commons, which are an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
He said a quicker solution might be to strengthen the school boundary wall.
He added: “Highways will review the accident history to determine the extent of any proposed solution.”
He added that he hoped a recommendation for action might be available in autumn.
Paul Rutter, property manager for the National Trust, which owns the commons, said he understood there were serious and genuine concerns over Amberley children's safety.
But he added that the proposed crash barrier might have to also be approved by Defra, Natural England and English Heritage.
Mr Drew said he was keen to see a 20mph zone around the primary school and traffic-calming measures.
“People come over the common too quickly. We need to slow them down,” Mr Drew said.
Amberley playgroup chairwoman Justine Daniels said Mr Drew was well informed and knew the issues.
“I think he is genuinely interested in trying to get as many things in place as possible,” Mrs Daniels said.
Be the first to comment