Safety measures and crossing installed outside school to keep pupils safe
A new crossing has been installed outside an Oxford primary school to improve road safety for children and parents.
As part of Oxfordshire County Council's safer routes to school programme, the raised zebra crossing, speed humps, side road entry treatments and footway widening were completed this week at Sandy Lane West in Littlemore.
The zebra crossing allows pedestrians coming from both directions along Sandy Lane West to access St John Fisher Catholic Primary School.
Paul Higgins, headteacher of St John Fisher Catholic Primary School, said: “We have been petitioning for a crossing at St John Fisher for decades, and I made it my top priority when joining the school.
“This crossing will improve the lives of our children, and the children of Blackbird Leys and Littlemore for generations to come. We are proud to lead on improvements for our community and delighted to have seen this crossing open.”
The £400,000 scheme was funded through the council’s Vision Zero programme, a package of initiatives aimed at eliminating deaths and serious injuries on Oxfordshire’s roads by 2050.
Road humps on both sides of the crossing will reduce vehicle speeds and increase awareness of the crossing point. Visibility has also been improved by the removal of the hedge in front of the school, although a replacement hedge will be planted on the school grounds at a later date.
Side road entry treatments on three side roads will enhance pedestrian safety along the southern footway that is used extensively by pupils at both St John Fisher School and the Oxford Academy.
Paul Fermer, Oxfordshire County Council’s Director of Environment and Highways, said: “Everyone should be able to walk to their destination safely, especially children travelling to school, so we are pleased that these safety measures are now in operation.
“We hope they will make a real difference to the confidence of pupils and parents at both St John Fisher Primary School and the Oxford Academy.”
The scheme was designed and delivered by Oxfordshire County Council’s principal highways maintenance contractor, M Group, which was previously known as Milestone Infrastructure.
Richard Lovewell, M Group business director for Oxfordshire, said: “Improving walking routes and providing safer routes to school is very important to M Group and we’re proud to support Oxfordshire County Council’s Vision Zero programme.
“Our teams worked closely with Oxfordshire County Council, ODS and St John Fisher School to design and deliver a comprehensive solution so improve safety on this busy road, including speed humps, footpath widening and a zebra crossing.”
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