Agenda item

Officers from the Highways and Transport section will consult further on specific proposals to improve road safety around Overdale Infant School, Overdale Junior School and St Thomas More Catholic Primary School.

There will also be an update on proposals for the Overdale Road/Welford Road junction arising out of the last meeting.

The Knighton Neighbourhood Policing Team are currently running a road safety campaign in local schools, part of which is a poster competition. The Community meeting will be asked to judge the winning posters.

Officers from the Highways and Transport Section were present to consult further on specific proposals to improve road safety around Overdale Infant School, Overdale Junior School and St Thomas More Catholic Primary School.

Robert Bateman was present to discuss the Overdale Schools’ suggested safety measures and residents were shown a plan. He informed the meeting that these had been revised to address parents’ and residents’ concerns and not all of the measures needed to be adopted if residents did not want certain aspects of it. Although some aspects of the proposal would reduce road space, they would also act to alert drivers to dangers. These had been scaled back from the original suggestion to reduce some of the impact on cyclists. He asked for the meeting’s opinion prior to full consultation taking place.

The meeting requested a zebra crossing, but were informed that there was nowhere suitable to place one due to close proximity of houses, and there was very little chance of funding being available for a long time. Following detailed discussion, most residents felt that the proposals, although not ideal, would be better than doing nothing. It was felt that better signage was required, particularly with flashing signs that would be operational at specific times. It was also suggested that work could be done to ease access to the school entrance for vehicles. Other suggestions included installation of bollards similar to those at Avenue Primary School or a lollipop crossing. On a show of hands, the majority of residents supported putting the suggested plans to full consultation.

Dave Poxon gave a presentation regarding St Thomas More School and the potential to use temporary vehicle activated signs or school “wig wag” warning lights. He explained how different types of signs worked. He stated that work could be done to ascertain speeds outside the school and which type of sign would be appropriate and permissible by law. Residents felt that this should be done for this and Overdale Schools. It was noted that there was currently no funding available for such signs from the Highways Division, and it was considered whether the Community Meeting funding could be used to install wig wag signs on either side outside the schools. On a show of hands, the majority of residents supported the installation of wig wag signs. Dave agreed to talk to Street Lighting and the School Governors for a speedy resolution and potential installation of these signs.

Members agreed that, if the wig wag signs cost the suggested £700 each, four of these would be funded from the Community Meeting budget.

Residents asked that more enforcement be carried out by police to stop traffic problems outside schools. It was reported that the police were to make this a priority in Knighton with enforcement action in January. The police would involve the children in this enforcement.

Concern was raised regarding problems caused by buses on Ratcliffe Road in the mornings and it was suggested that, although the Council had no powers to force the bus company, they should be approached to see if they would be willing to re-route at this busy time.