Pupils want lower speed limit outside their school for safety

CHILDREN are urging highways chiefs to tackle speeding drivers outside their school in Caversham.

Hemdean House School has launched a petition which says the current 30mph limit is too high and that drivers often ignore it, putting pupils in danger.

It is calling on Reading Borough Council to install traffic-calming measures such as speed bumps and for Thames Valley Police to support this.

The independent school said: “We are concerned about the safety of the children. The current 30mph speed limit is too high and puts our children at risk every day.

“We urge Reading Borough Council and Thames Valley Police to consider this proposal seriously. Our children’s safety should be a top priority.”

The school, in Hemdean Road, says the situation is compounded by the narrowing of the road due to parking on both sides, causing congestion, particularly as it is also on a bus route.

Children from years 4, 5 and 6 were accompanied by teacher Karena Ramchand as they presented their case at a meeting of the borough council’s traffic management sub-committee. They told councillors that increased safety measures were urgent and that there needed to be more signage to warn drivers there is a school nearby.

Summer Maitland-Smith, eight, said: “We are here on the behalf of all the members of the school as the younger ones could not attend as it is their bedtime. Thank you for giving us this opportunity.”

Patrick Woolley, nine, said: “Sometimes cars drive very fast around the bend, which is very dangerous, and this can surprise those who are crossing the road at the time.

“Hemdean Road is also on a bus route, so when a car meets with one it can be very dangerous.”

The children said they held school council meetings and discussions about the safety concerns and what they felt were appropriate measures.

They explained that they had visited Caversham Primary School, which is also in Hemdean Road, and found it had 20mph signs.

“We thought that that was unfair and that our pupils should have the same measures,” they said.

Also at the meeting were school council members Mark Zaretski, both seven, Luna Maitland-Smith , eight, and Bethany Crozier, 10.

They presented the council with some “homework”, saying: “We would like to ask you to consider our requests. Thank you for listening.” This was met with a round of applause.

Councillor John Ennis replied: “It’s brilliant to see you here this evening. You are such a credit to the school.

“To see young people getting involved in important issues such as traffic safety and making sure that children are okay when crossing the road going to school is very important. We will be taking this matter seriously.”

After the meeting Mrs Ramchand said: “This is a really serious subject that the school council is dealing with.

“As a teacher, I want our children to feel safe when walking or cycling to school. They shouldn’t have to worry about issues like this.

“These students have given up countless lunchtimes to discuss the importance of road safety. This has been a student-led cause and they are always pushing for change. They have been reasonable, articulate and amazing.”

Bethany said: “It was nerve-wracking standing up and speaking to the council. I don’t think that any of us had been somewhere like that before.

“We know that there have not been any accidents yet but there is a pretty big chance that one will happen, so why not put in the measures before one does?”

Micha, who cycles to school every day, said: “Most days, cars are parked both sides of the road. Drivers get really close to me so I have to be so careful — it would not take much to be knocked off on the busy road.”

Mark said: “Sometimes drivers can’t see us when we are walking or cycling, as there is a big bend in the road. Visibility is an issue.”

Caversham primary had speed bumps installed outside two years ago along with a zebra crossing and “No parking” signs.

Receptionist Yazmin Akhtar said: “These measures have improved our problems quite a bit.

We did have issues with people parking outside the school, but there has been a change for the better. The 20mph signs do encourage drivers to slow down.”

Hemdean School’s school council also plans to write to the borough council. Its petition has attracted 100 signatures so far.

Ward councillor Jacopo Lanzoni said: “It’s heartwarming to see such young students taking an interest in their local community and engaging with the local authority.

“Reading Borough Council is committed to keeping our highway safe for pedestrians, cyclists and drivers and Hemdean Road is on the list for resurfacing very soon.

“We are proud of the work done by Hemdean House and we look forward to identifying funding to deliver these and more traffic management requests.”