Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
Pupil’s petition improves safety
A SERIES of road safety improvements are to be introduced at an Arbroath primary school after a campaign led by one of its pupils.
Lily Souter, 11, led calls for measures to be introduced outside Warddykes Primary School.
These came after the P6 pupil heard about a near-miss involving a driver and lollipop man Steven Sterricks, who sees her safely across Brechin Road on school days.
After launching a petition, Lily met Councillor Lois Speed, Police Scotland and Angus Council officials to discuss road safety.
As a result, both the police and the council are now looking at introducing new measures.
Lily said: “The meeting went really well.
“I’m really hopeful things are going to change and the road will become a safer place for us all, including my lollipop man.
“It was also great to get so much support from my teacher and classmates. We all made posters and we have put them on the fence outside the school asking drivers to slow down.
“It will be great if we can make the road safer and get cars to go slower here.”
The initiative has also helped Lily gain a new campaigning badge at the Guides.
A spokesperson for Angus Council said: “Following an opportunity to engage directly with our communities on how our road space can be used more safely, and how road safety behaviours can be improved at Warddykes Primary School, new measures are being put into place.”
These will include lengthening the existing “school keep clear” road markings on Brechin Road.
A new dropped kerb crossing point for the school crossing patroller will also be created near the school gate.
This will help the lollipop man to see cars approaching earlier, and allow approaching vehicles to have a clearer view of the patroller.
The spokesperson added: “We are making every effort to have the agreed works completed during the summer school holidays to ensure the new measures will be in place for when the pupils return.”
A spokesperson for Police Scotland said: “Community officers continue to work with the local authority and schools to promote road safety.
“Advice is regularly given to motorists on ensuring the safety of other road users and also parking in a responsible manner.”
Councillor Speed said Lily is an inspiration to others.
She said: “Lily has done incredibly well to raise awareness and present her concerns to police and council officers, and is making a real difference.
“She should be immensely proud of what she has achieved.
“I’m very sure Lily’s endeavours will continue to have a positive and long-lasting impact”