Safety measures proposed outside school

A safety zone could be introduced to tackle traffic problems outside a Boughton primary school.

The idea has been put forward by URS, a company that undertook a traffic survey outside St Joseph’s Primary School, Main Road, on behalf of Nottinghamshire County Council.

It recommends a 20mph zone outside the school, children crossing warning signs, flashing amber warning lights at the beginning and end of the school day, slow markings, high-friction surfacing strips, and keep clear markings on School Lane to keep pedestrian exits clear.

The speed limit would be advisory rather than legal.

St Joseph’s has an on-going problem with parking and congestion making it dangerous for children at the beginning and end of the school day.

The issue was discussed by Ollerton and Boughton Town Council’s planning committee.

Ollerton and District Economic Forum’s transport action team also wrote to the council expressing concern about traffic and parking problems on Main Road.

Mr Ray Shilling, a town councillor, said: “I feel this is an accident waiting to happen. If this means people cannot park outside school, it will help safety.

“If we can move the parking further down the road then I think that is the best we can do. This is a marked improvement on anything we have had before.”

Mrs Abbie Truswell suggested a drop-off point could be a solution.

She was not sure a 20pmh limit would make much difference.

“You would be lucky to get up to 20mph at school times,” she said. “It is the congestion that’s the problem.”

Consultation is taking place with the school, town council and affected residents before the scheme is approved.