Campaign for crossing at Rotherham primary school

Parents, councillors and residents have launched a campaign for a crossing outside a Rotherham primary school, which is on a main road facing “horrendous” traffic.
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Pupils returned to Kilnhurst Primary School on Hooton Road in March – 16 months after the school was flooded so badly they had to be sent to nearby schools in November 2019.

However, since then, a lack of lollipop person or crossing at the school has lead to concerns about pupil’s safety.

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David Stables, who has two grandchildren at the school, says that the volunteers manning the road didn’t want to carry on the role when the school reopened, leaving parents and children no safe way to cross the busy main road.

The road outside the school.The road outside the school.
The road outside the school.

Mr Stables said: “The problems are really bad, and the traffic is horrendous. We had a lollipop man for a few years, but since the school has re-opened, there’s been nobody.

“The only way to get across is if a car will let you. There is heavy traffic and lorries – it’s scary. Parents are panicking about heir kids getting here safely.”

Rotherham Council say they have recruited a new lollipop person who is currently being trained, but parents, staff and residents still say a crossing will be necessary.

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Ryan Cousins, head of the school, welcomed the plans for a new lollipop person, adding that he safety of children at the school was his utmost concern.

“It’s horrendous on this road,” he added.

“Parents voice their concerns daily.”

Councillor Stuart Sansome, Labour councillor for Swinton, volunteered to take up the role of crossing patrol until a permanent replacement was found, donating any salary to good causes in the ward.

However, he was told that by RMBC that he could not volunteer in the run-up to the election set to take place on May 6.

A Rotherham Council spokesperson said: “A request from Kinhurst Primary School to provide a controlled crossing on Hooton Road outside the school has been received and is being investigated.

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“The request will be carried out in accordance with the council’s policy of introducing a controlled crossing within the borough. Once the investigation is complete, we will contact the school to inform them of the outcome and to let them know what the next steps are.

“Plans are also in place to install new 20mph speed signs on the approach to Kilnhurst Primary School. The signs urge traffic to slow down with “children” warning triangle signs together with activated flashing amber warning lights which indicate when the advisory 20mph speed limit is in operation.

“Two elected members did contact the council looking to temporarily take over the school crossing patrol, however, following legal advice, it was found that the proposals put forward contravened pre-election period restrictions because both of those councillors are currently candidates in the local elections.

“Training has been made available to councillors who wished to support school crossing patrols previously and can be offered again to councillors volunteering to undertake the role after the election.

“A provisional appointment has been made for the role of school crossing patrol. This appointment will not be impacted by the proposal to consider a controlled crossing at the school.”

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