STAFF at a Henley school will keep fighting for a pedestrian crossing on a road dubbed “deadly” for pupils who have to cross it, writes Phil Simms.
Karen Edwards, headteacher of Sacred Heart primary, said she felt “frustrated” that Oxfordshire County Council hadn’t responded to three years of campaigning to make Greys Road safer.
Speaking at last week’s meeting of Henley Town Council’s traffic advisory committee, she said: “We are no closer to resolving the situation. We are concerned not only for the pupils but also staff and other people going to and from the school.
“There are 200 pupils at the primary school, 16 at the pre-school, 2,000 at The Henley College, 200 at Valley Road primary and 1,000 at Gillotts School, who all use Greys Road but there is no safe crossing.
“We are committed to encouraging the children to walk or use a scooter to school but we don’t want them travelling down Greys Road as it is deadly.” Parking outside the school in Greys Hill is banned so parents have to find a drop-off spot nearby.
Mrs Edwards said: “Those who are trying to be considerate by dropping off further away are putting their children at most risk. They are using car park spaces at Headway [in Greys Road] and then their children have to cross the road.”
The school wants a crossing outside the Takhar shop, opposite the entrance to the Gainsbrough estate, which would benefit both pupils and elderly people living in the area.
Nicky Hammond, of Greys Hill, said drivers parking inconsiderately were adding to the problem.
She said: “It is illegal to park on the pavement but the police are not there. There is no access to Homelands Way for emergency services because people have parked there.
“There is a problem with the alleyway by Saracens Way because it is used by lorries to deliver and it is difficult because of cars parked up and down both sides. The police community support officers don’t do a good job around our road and we would rather have traffic wardens back. The PCSOs are very nice but we want proper policing.”
Peter Ronald, area traffic engineer at Oxfordshire County Council, said a crossing would cost up to £30,000, adding: “We don’t have the funds but if Henley Town Council wants to contribute we can see what can be done. There are an awful lot of parish councils that are raising money for traffic-calming measures.”
Town councillor Allan Follett insisted the county council should pay, adding: “I am a school governor and there is lots of pressure to extend the school day and that’s why we need permanent crossings.”
Thames Valley Police said parking was not a priority issue for community safety officers.
In December, the Standard reported how pupils at Sacred Heart wrote a letter to Santa asking for a crossing.
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Published on 04 May 2010
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