‘We are playing chicken on road’
“PETRIFIED” parents and grandparents have to “dart between cars” on a main road during the school run as there is no pedestrian crossing or lollipop patrol.
They have hit out at inconsiderate drivers and a lack of traffic controls claiming it’s only a matter of time before a tragedy occurs.
“I’m petrified,” said grandmother Julie Bwye, who said she sometimes has to wait 10 minutes for a break in the traffic to enable her to cross Maesteg Road, Cwmfelin, Maesteg.
“They all go so fast. You have to wait for a gap and then I have to run out with the pram.”
Like many other people Julie needs to cross the road to get to the bus stop outside Cwmfelin Primary School to pick up her grandson off the school bus. She also has her baby granddaughter in a pram.
But as well as the school buses from Ysgol Cynwyd Sant and St Mary’s and St Patrick’s in Maesteg dropping off or picking children up, parents are also doing the school run to Cwmfelin Primary creating a “crazy” situa- tion, which parents have said cannot continue.
Mum Laura Griffiths, 36, whose daughter ElaHaf catches the bus to Ysgol Cynwyd Sant, said: “We are so close to a tragedy occurring it is beyond terrifying.
“What is completely unacceptable, however, is that there are currently no safe places to cross, no zebra crossing or pelican crossing nearby, no speed cameras, no speed bumps, no school crossing patrol, no flashing warning lights to remind drivers of their speed to slow down, no reduction in speed limit and no community police officer.”
She said inconsiderate drivers make the situation even worse by parking in the bus bay, so when the school service arrives it has to stop in the middle of the road and the children have to step off the pavement to board.
She said this happened one morning just as the other school bus arrived on the opposite side of the road and then frustrated drivers tried overtaking both buses creating a highly dangerous situation.
Mum Lisa Howells said: “I would like to see the lollipop lady back.”
Laura added: “We are playing chicken on this road trying to dart between cars and buses.”
A Bridgend council spokesman said: “A designated bus stop is located outside the school for use by school buses and public transport services, but if it is taken up by inconsiderate drivers, the buses have no option other than to park at the kerbside.
“While there are no current plans for a crossing to be installed, we are actively seeking someone who can act as a school crossing patrol at this location, and are keen to hear from anyone who may be interested in providing this important role for the local community.”
Acting Inspector Nick Jones said: “Parking issues outside local schools is a Pact priority for both the Maesteg East and West wards.” SPECIAL PRICES ON SELECTED SOFAS.