A school’s headteacher has come up with a three-point plan to protect the safety of children who cross a busy Keswick road.
Simon Jackson says the parents of pupils who have to negotiate the traffic on Crosthwaite Road on their walk to and from Keswick School have expressed serious concerns about the welfare of their children.
In a letter presented to members of Keswick Town Council at their meeting on Thursday night, Mr Jackson said that the current conditions on the road pose a serious risk to students, especially at peak times when traffic congestion is at its highest.
“The road is a major thoroughfare from the town centre to the A66, and its heavy traffic volume, combined with a lack of proper pedestrian crossings, creates a hazardous situation for students,” wrote Mr Jackson, adding: “In particular, the absence of clear, safe crossing points leaves children vulnerable and this is a situation that parents and the school feel strongly about.”
He said that as the town continues to grow, these concerns become even more pressing and has urged the town council to consider the following actions as a matter of priority:
l Install a pedestrian crossing: a dedicated crossing, ideally with traffic lights or a zebra crossing, would offer children a safe way to cross the road during busy school hours.
l Improved signage and road markings: Clearer signage for both drivers and pedestrians, coupled with road markings to indicate a safe crossing point, would help to ensure greater awareness of the risks and encourage more careful driving around the school.
l Traffic calming measures: The introduction of speeds humps or other traffic calming measures would slow down vehicles, especially at key times such as school opening and closing hours.
Mr Jackson said: “We believe that implementing these measures will make a significant difference to protecting the children who walk to and from school each day.”
He asked the town council to prioritise the matter for the safety and peace of mind of all those involved.
