COUNCILLORS TO DECIDE ON HEMPLAND CROSSING PATROL (York Liberal Democrats)

York Liberal Democrats <info@yorklibdems.org.uk>

COUNCILLORS TO DECIDE ON HEMPLAND CROSSING PATROL

March 16, 2009 12:04 AM

Heworth Without's Liberal Democrat Councillor Nigel Ayre has renewed his calls for a new permanent solution to protect the safety of pupils crossing a busy road to get to school.

The crossing patrol at Hempland School in Heworth Without, was removed at the start of the school year in September and since then school staff and parents have been calling for a permanent solution to the problem, fearing the lack of safe places to cross the road is putting pupil's safety at risk.

A 248 name petition calling for a new crossing patrol at the junction was presented to full council in November by Councillor Ayre.

The crossing patrol has since returned to the area but parents and teachers remain concerned that one crossing patrol cannot cover the whole four way junction.

A recent Lib Dem survey of local residents found the 88% favoured either the introduction of traffic lights or a pedestrian crossing at the crossroads.

The issue will be considered by the City Strategy EMAP on the 16th of March.

Councillor Ayre said he hoped that Councillors would be able to find a permanent solution to the problem. He said, "This junction is on Stockton Lane is very busy at peak times and suffers from speeding traffic, the lack of safe places to cross the road is putting the safety of the pupils at risk."

"The number of signatures on the petition and the response to our recent survey shows the strength of feeling amongst local residents as well as parents and teachers at the school. I hope that we will be able to find a solution to this problem that provides a safe way for the children to get to school."