Page 3 - link magazine

People who drive to school have to share responsibility CYCLE REPAIRS
for children’s safety
If there is one issue that causes problems between schools and their communities, and generates a significant FREE
number of complaints to local authorities across the UK, it is that of ‘school-gate’ parking, writes Jane Deeley, collection &
School Travel Advisor at Swindon Council. delivery from
While some parents have no choice of the Swindon School Travel Ambas- If you live near a school, thank you home or work
but to drive their children to school sador scheme, and their pupil teams for your patience. Fortunately school The BIKE DOCTOR
due to its location, busy lifestyles also enthusiastically take on responsibility parking tends to be for short, albeit
mean that parents may need to travel for organising campaigns, events and intense, periods of time. If you experi- Over 35 years experience
ence continuing prob- Servicing and repairs
lems, please contact We also sell
your local school in parts & accessories
the first instance so For fast, friendly service, call
they can address the Phil Mitchell: 874873 day or evening
issues through their or 07850 650956 (mobile)
travel plan.
If you are a parent
who drives a child to
school, please con-
sider alternatives such
as walking or cycling.
If you still need to
drive, consider shar-
ing lifts with friends
or ‘park & stride’ from
somewhere safely
away from the school
gate. It’s healthier,
Jane helping Oakhurst Primary School pupils and headteacher Dale Burr launch a new appeal safer and cheaper –
to parents to leave their cars at home, or think about the children and park safely.
give it a try.
Mr Burr said: “We have huge issues with parking outside Oakhurst. The school council discussed Jane can be contact-
the problems and they were asked for ideas for posters mounted on the school fence. We need ed at: stars@swindon.
parents to read it and park safely; the last thing anybody wants is any kind of accident or tragedy.
Parents who drive must take this seriously.” gov.uk
on to work, or need a car to access a competitions.
variety of after-school activities for There are currently travel ambas-
their children. Unfortunately most sadors at Bridlewood, Brook Field,
school sites were not built to cope Catherine Wayte, Greenmead-
with the volume of traffic that this ow, Haydon Wick, Haydonleigh,
generates, and parking spills out onto Oakhurst, Orchid Vale, Peatmoor,
local residential roads. Shaw Ridge, Toothill and Westlea
Parking around the school gate primary schools.
poses a significant risk to children’s One initiative running at several
safety, as they cannot easily see, or primary schools in the area involves
be seen by moving vehicles on the the children mapping and promoting
road. It also causes congestion and a ‘5 minute walk zone’ to encourage
unnecessary stress for parents and people to leave their cars at home, or
residents alike. Parked cars often park further away from the school
obstruct dropped kerb crossings or gate and walk the rest of the way. The
residents’ driveways, which can cause children plan and run fun events and
a great deal of inconvenience; we have competitions to persuade their fami-
even had reports of people getting lies and friends to walk in the zone.
abuse when they ask a driver to move. As part of our School Safety Zone
Swindon Borough Council works scheme, intended to improve actual
closely with schools to encourage and perceived safety around schools
alternatives to the car for the journey and encourage more walking and
to school, even before parents choose a cycling, new school warning signs
particular school for their child. Most will be installed in March at several
schools include information about schools including Brook Field, Isam-
travel in their prospectus, and we of- bard, Red Oaks, Catherine Wayte,
ten attend open evenings and similar Toothill, Millbrook, Orchid Vale, St
events to discuss travel options. Francis, and Oakhurst. There are also
Schools can develop travel plans plans for more specific Safety Zone
to identify and address local issues works at Haydon Wick, Westlea, and
and encourage more walking and Oliver Tomkins schools in the next
cycling. Many local schools are part financial year.
swindonlink.com • March 2013 3

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