Mum campaigning for school crossings
A mother-of-three is calling for pedestrian crossings outside every school in Lincoln, to improve safety and encourage children to walk to school.
Rosanne Kirk (38), a governor at St Hugh's Primary School in Birchwood, thinks existing measures around schools in her area aren't working, with drivers regularly ignoring the speed restrictions.
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A mother-of-three is calling for pedestrian crossings outside every school in Lincoln
She hopes to raise awareness of the problems many schools and parents face in providing a safe crossing point for pupils.
"On Woodfield Avenue we have four schools and no crossing," she said.
"We do have a safety zone outside our school but no-one seems to take any notice – the speed limit is always being broken.
"We have major problems with safety and although we have a temporary lollipop person at the moment, no-one wants to do the job full-time."
In the meantime the school has worked with road safety experts to create a scheme, including a "park and stride" initiative, to persuade parents to leave their cars behind.
Ms Kirk has already contacted Lincolnshire County Council but was told the road does not meet usage criteria for a crossing.
"It's crazy," she said.
"What does criteria matter when a child's life and safety are at stake."
Gregory Hughes, headteacher of St Hugh's Primary, said he thought the move was "a very important idea".
Installation of zebra crossings at all of Lincolnshire County Council's 368 schools would cost more than £7 million.
However, Alan Brown, area highways manager, said the county council would happily meet with parents and school representatives to discuss their concerns.
For more on Ms Kirk's campaign to get pedestrian crossings outside every school in Lincoln, see Wednesday's Echo.
13 Comments
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by jo, LINCOLN
Wednesday, March 25 2009, 6:41PM
“Even if you have zebra crossings outside all school are all parents going to use them properly, doesnt stop idiotic drivers speeding through them even when someone is using it correctly,”
by Green Cross Man, ,,,,,
Wednesday, March 25 2009, 1:14PM
“Now that does make a difference Bob.. :)”
by Emma Pearson, Lincolnshire Echo
Wednesday, March 25 2009, 1:14PM
“Indeed, the previous figure was a mistake, the cost would actually be £7 million. Sorry for any confusion.”
by Bob, Lincoln
Wednesday, March 25 2009, 1:10PM
“Confused, the afrticle previously stated 700k, but was changed earlier today”
by Clare, WSH, Lincoln
Wednesday, March 25 2009, 12:55PM
“M C Donald totally agree with you. Numerous times I have stood at a crossing with my 4 year old waiting for the green man and have had several parents run across the road with a child in a push chair or being dragged across by a irresponsible parent. Sadly if they are hit they would be the first to complain and threaten to sue the motorist.
I like you also witness the parents who do not even bother walking to the crossings.”
by Green Cross Man, ,,,,,,
Wednesday, March 25 2009, 12:50PM
“The figures have decreased around 20% over the last 10yrs.
That`s the good news. They are still at around 200 deaths and 4,000 injuries a year among child pedestrians aged 5yr to 15yr. The hot spots when it comes to timing are between 8/9am, and 3/4pm..
It`s hard to find figures for specific locations. but those timings do indicate to and from school are the most dangerous. I suppose that`s stating the obvious though. Any other time inbetween those hours would be a very odd situation...”
by Confused, the real world
Wednesday, March 25 2009, 12:48PM
“Green cross where are you getting 700k from? Have a missed something? 7mil is a different figure altogether. So yeah the council could do it, but you wouldnt see any lights being fixed, potholes filled, roads relayed or anything else that makes the vast majority of taxpayers complain about.”
by M C Donald, Lincoln
Wednesday, March 25 2009, 12:03PM
“I agree with the logic of installing zebra crossings outside every school, in reality they would have little effect on the safety of the children. How many times have you seen mums crossing the road with their kids rather than walk 50 yards to a crossing or older children at secondary schools ignoring them completely, as I see every day at the City School.
I am being to wonder if the dangers on the roads outside school is perceived rather than actual. If it is so dangerous why are we not hearing of kids being mown down every day?”
by A frustrated parent, Lincoln
Wednesday, March 25 2009, 11:14AM
“Whilst i hope for needed safety measures to be put in place for all children regarding road safety around schools,i find the park and stride initiative ironic in the week where my 4 yr old has been declined aplace at our local school 4 minutes walk away due to oversubscription with no plans for expansion,and offered a place at an alternative,over 2 miles away,and unsafe and impossible to walk to!”
by Green Cross Man,,, ,,
Wednesday, March 25 2009, 10:01AM
“The act was 2006. The improvements to be implemented by 2010..
It`s not so much then Bob over 4yrs...”