‘SLOW DOWN’ PLEA ON SCHOOLS ROUTE
Councillors call for measures amid accident fears
COMMUNITY leaders are calling for help to get drivers to curb their speed on a school route.
Manor Rise is used by many families heading to school in Walton, Stone. But the speed of some motorists has sparked fears someone could be badly hurt.
Town councillor Kerry Dawson told this month’s meeting a resident had expressed concerns about traffic speed in Manor Rise during the school drop-off and rush hour.
“He informed me there had already been several near misses and a few minor incidents,” she said. “He is worried it is only a matter of time before a child is hurt, given Manor Rise is used daily by children who attend Manor Hill First School, Pirehill First School and Walton Priory Middle School as their main walking route.”
She added she had raised the issue with county councillor Ian Parry, who had suggested speed indicator signs similar to those used in other areas.
Fellow members backed Councillor Dawson’s request for the town clerk to write to Staffordshire County Council to highlight the traffic issues and ask the authority to monitor the situation and take action.
Councillor Mark Green said: “I wonder if we could ask the county council to make it 20mph around the school – or all the schools in Stone – to make it safer, even if it’s just during going home time.” But Jill Hood, who is a member of the town, borough and county councils, said: “Unfortunately the county council will see this as a police matter.
“Speed indicator signs are temporary but they do work. It’s worth going back to Ian Parry and asking if he would be willing to fund them to be placed at the side of the road. I know the road very well, I travel it every day.
“It is 30mph but it’s almost as if people launch their cars to beat anybody coming down the other way.”
Councillor Jim Davies said Hilderstone had a speed indicator sign installed near The Roebuck in Sandon Road.
“I will get some details from the parish clerk to give indication of costs”, he added. “I think we got some money through the Safer Roads Partnership and it wasn’t horrendously expensive.”