Problem Must be Tackled to Safeguard Children
Newton News was invited to report on an important meeting called at Sugar Hill School to discuss the problems of parent parking outside the gates at the start and close of the school day.
Officials from the County Council, School Governors, Police, Parents, Teachers and neighbours all attended hoping to solve the dangers the current situation poses.
Head Teacher Linda Cummins outlined the ongoing problems where parents clog up the road in their cars while dropping off and picking up children at the school.
Apart from the obvious danger this presents to children milling about a heavily congested area, nearby neighbours complain their access is being denied and they are suffering abuse from parents when asked politely to move.
Sheraton Road is also used by cars as a thoroughfare to Shafto Way and travelling at speed are a danger to children and adults who walk to the school to pick up their offspring.
Alan Kennedy from Durham County Council said that congestion can be a traffic calmer and statistics show it prevents a child being killed. “Speed is a killer for a child hit at 30mph while in a congested area, cars forced to travel at 7mph, cannot run a child over”. said Alan.
Lyn Swift, Chairman of the Governors was quick to point out that whatever speed a child is hit is unacceptable. Various measures were suggested including double yellow lines and road humps only to be ruled out as causing difficulties for residents. School Crossing Wardens have been taken away as part of the County Council cuts. A governor asked if £48 a week is a better saving than a child’s life.
A Zebra Crossing could not be installed as it does not meet the criteria. There was an improvement when the police were present and when they approached lazy parents, but these resources are not available at all times.
It was also suggested the school employ their own traffic patrol or install a fence at the road edge forcing children to leave the pavement at a specific point to avoid the danger of crossing the road inbetween parked cars.
The meeting closed with no specific help from the County officials except to conduct a traffic survey. It became clear that any change to the situation would have to come from the school itself and be paid for from their own budget.
The meeting ended at the same time as school closed and the problem was apparent for all to see. One parent’s car was parked completely on the pavement outside the school. Police were alerted but the lady driver quickly left the scene as they approached.
