Huge petition calling for safe crossing near Hinckley school submitted to County Council
There has been a huge response to a petition calling for a safe crossing near a Hinckley School.
Over 7,000 people signed a petition, organised by parents of pupils at the school calling for a safe road crossing near St Peter's School on London Road, Hinckley.
The petition has been submitted to the County Council by the three Liberal Democrat County Councillors for Hinckley David Bill, Stuart Bray and Michael Mullaney.
Responding after submitting the petition Hinckley Council leader Stuart Bray said " "I've been pressing for action in this area since the crossing patrol left and the county council were unable to fill the vacancy. This school is in a busy town centre location with traffic coming at you from all angles. It's a miracle that a child hasn't been seriously injured or killed. We need action before someone is hurt not wait until it's too late."
Hinckley De Montfort Lib Dem County Councillor Michael Mullaney said "It's essential that there is a safe crossing near St Peter's School. It's an incredibly busy road and there have been a number of near misses involving school pupils.
"Over 7,000 people signing the petition just shows what a huge understanding locally there is of the need for a safe crossing at St Peter's.
"Given the huge support for this petition Leicestershire County Council must do the right thing and put in a safe crossing near St Peter's School".
Parent Jo Thompson who helped organise the petition said " "The safety of our vunerable community members when using unsafe crossings, such as ours, should be paramount. Indeed, we all have a part to play in ensuring Road Safety outside our Schools. We hope Leicestershire County Council will recognise these preventable risks and approve a new safe permanent community crossing in front of St Peter's School on London Road Hinckley.
"We need action, not words to safeguard our community. The parents will continue with their campaign for a safer community crossing on London Road in front of St Peters School. We would like to thank the community for their continued support."
A Hinckley County Councillor has renewed calls for a safe road crossing to be installed near a Hinckley School.
Lib Dem Councillor for Hinckley De Montfort Michael Mullaney has campaigned with local parents, residents and fellow Hinckley Councillors David Bill and Stuart Bray to get a safe crossing near St Peter’s School on London Road, Hinckley.
This follows news that Leicestershire County Council have again decided against putting a crossing there.
In a written submission to the County Council’s Highways and Transport Scrutiny Committee Michael Mullaney set out why a crossing was still needed there
“A huge number of residents in the area I represent on the County Council and the area my two fellow Hinckley County Councillors David Bill and Stuart Bray represent support a safe crossing at St Peter’s School on London Road in Hinckley. 8,850 residents signed a petition supporting the campaign.
“There are safety concerns, there have been a number of near misses involving pupils and parents going to the school. Although not recorded it is believed that there was an accident leading to a fatality some years ago along this part of London Road when a pedestrian was knocked over.
“Whilst I appreciate the extra road safety measures that are proposed for London Road near St Peter’s School I am extremely disappointed that the request for a safe road crossing has not been supported in the report.
“There is widespread support for it and Cllrs Bill, Bray and myself identified funding for putting a crossing in at the site through the Members Highway Fund, a fund which was developed with the apparent intention of supporting Highways causes that were important in Councillor’s local areas.
“Whilst it’s welcome that a crossing person has been recruited for St Peter’s School there is always the risk that the person may step down from the job and it may be difficult to find a new person (as it took some years to recruit a crossing person there, with no school crossing patrol between 2017 and 2022 despite attempts to recruit to the post). A safe pedestrian crossing at the site however would be a permanent safety measure that would benefit pupils and parents and residents more generally crossing the road there.
“Whilst I welcome the fact there will be some safety improvements at the site I and many residents believe there still needs to be a safe permanent crossing at St Peter’s School. I therefore urge the County Council to rethink and agree to installing a crossing near St Peter’s School”
