‘Will we be lucky again?’
CONCERNED PARENTS FEAR FURTHER ACCIDENTS NEAR SCHOOLS AND CAR PARK
PARENTS have hit out at a “chaotic” school crossing and poorly maintained nearby car park which they believe contributed to a child being hit by a car in Hayes.
The young boy was riding a bike in Springfield Road when he was hit by a vehicle just before 4pm last Thursday.
At the time, a spokesman for the Metropolitan Police confirmed the young cyclist “suffered a leg injury which was non-life threatening and non-life changing”.
However, the incident has left families who use the crossing fearing for the worst, and one parent believes a key reason for the incident is due to the “poor-keeping” of Minet Country Car Park.
The car park is situated near to the crossing in Springfield Road, which is used by pupils attending Nanaksar Primary, Guru Nanak Sikh Primary School and Guru Nanak Sikh Secondary.
Hardeep Singh, who lives in Hayes, has a child who attends one of the schools, and has said the area around the schools is “chaos” because of the state of the car park.
After the incident on Thursday, he said: “I can say we have been very lucky this time, but I’m not sure if luck will be with us again.
“One of the reasons is the Minet Country Car Park is not looked after and is in a very poor state, so parents are forced to park on yellow lines to drop and pick their children, which ends up in chaos due to the three schools at this place.
“My child also attends one of the schools and it is very scary how unsafe it is crossing the road.
“The school is doing their best, and they even have someone standing outside in the mornings, but with limited resources, they can only do so much.”
Mr Singh has raised two petitions with Hillingdon Council - one for maintaining the car park and the other one for a zebra crossing outside the school.
He added: “I’m hoping something gets done before any terrible accident takes place. I’ve always said there is an accident waiting to happen here.”
Mr Singh has contacted his local MP, John McDonnell, who he says has been “really helpful” in dealing with community issues in the past.
The MP for Hayes and Harlington said: “I will continue to work with, and support the Guru Nanak Sikh Academy students, staff and the parents, as I have done for over 20 years.
“The wellbeing and safety of all concerned is very important to me.
“In my capacity as the vice-chair of the Friends of Minet Country Park and local Member of Parliament, I will work with the school and local councillors in regard to the proposed safety measures.”
A spokesman for Hillingdon Council said: “The police are investigating the cause of the collision and it would be inappropriate to speculate further.
“We wish all involved well in their recovery.”