Call for action over 'scary and unsafe' Hythe Road children cross to get to Methwold's Duchy of Lancaster Primary School
Concerned parents have said their children are putting their lives in danger when trying to cross a busy road to get to school.
Parents of pupils at Duchy of Lancaster Primary School in Methwold are calling for the speed limit to be cut from 30mph to 20mph to help children cross the road safely.
Parent Lauren Syer set up a petition, also asking for a new crossing at Hythe Road, which has garnered nearly 300 signatures so far.
It says: “Twice a day, young children and their parents are put in danger when crossing Hythe Road to attend school.
“This is due to where the school is situated, no safe place to cross, increased volume of vehicles and the 30mph speed limit.
“Now that there are more houses in the village, there are more vehicles using Hythe Road and it’s only a matter of time before someone gets seriously hurt.”
Mrs Syer, who has two children at the school, added: “There is a path to the school but it’s very narrow. You can’t push a pram on it or be able to hold your children’s hands. You have to walk on it in single file which is less than ideal with little children.
“Something needs to be done to help and we hope this petition will prompt the powers that be in helping us achieve our goal.”
Damon Finney, headteacher at the school which is part of the Diocese of Ely Multi-Academy Trust, said around 100 pupils have to cross the road twice a day.
“The current situation is very dangerous, and the children just don’t feel very safe,” he added. “They’ve told me that it’s ‘scary and unsafe’, ‘really busy’ and ‘I always think I’m going to get run over’.
“It’s a fear that’s shared by parents and staff alike that someone is going to get hurt.
“It’s not what children should have to worry about when coming to school every day and a crossing would help allay their fears.”
Norfolk County Council declined to comment.
The petition can be found at www.change.org/p/reduce-the-speed-limit-outside-duchy-of-lancaster-school-in-methwold-and-build-a-crossing
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