Road safety work for danger spot outside Ironbridge primary school

Telford & Wrekin Council will be installing a package of road safety measures outside Coalbrookdale & Ironbridge CE Primary School, in Dale End, Coalbrookdale.

It follows a review to identify what works can be funded from existing budgets to make the approach and exit from the school safer for everybody.

A young child was hit by a car on a zebra crossing last year.

Headteacher Sue Blackburn wanted a pelican crossing to be installed outside the school following the accident, and parents were also invited to share their views.

The work will include putting up a flashing school zone sign and extending the double yellow lines outside the school.

It is due to take place on February 7 and 8.

It will also include revising the school keep clear notifications to tie in with the new extended double yellow lines, and also painting road marking warning signs on the carriageway.

Visibility and awareness

Councillor Hilda Rhodes, Telford & Wrekin Council’s cabinet member for transport, said: “The safety of everyone arriving and leaving the school at both ends of the day is the most important consideration when determining what measures we introduce.

“What we are proposing should significantly improve the visibility of the school area to raise awareness to drivers.

“We are happy to continue to work with the school to look at future measures as well as carrying out any necessary road safety education or creating a walking bus facility.

“We also plan to set up a joint stakeholder meeting in February to co-ordinate and discuss aspirations for school safety in the area.”

Ironbridge Gorge Councillor Nicola Lowery had also worked with Ms Blackburn and the council to assess how to improve safety on the local roads.

She said: “I am delighted to hear of the council’s commitment to improving road safety by Coalbrookdale & Ironbridge CE Primary School as it is vital improvements are made.

“I as the ward member and the school’s headteacher Sue Blackburn have been working with the council over the last few months and have proposed a number of ideas to improve roads safety around our local school.

“The roads surrounding the school are incredibly busy and the headteacher and I have also consulted with parents to ensure we work collaboratively with our community and that everyone has an opportunity to contribute their ideas on this scheme, as we appreciate it is of great concern to parents.

“We understand £15,000 has already been committed by the council to improve the road safety scheme around our primary school and the headteacher and I have campaigned for increased funding to provide the opportunity to look at additional measures to ensure we see significant improvements in road safety to and from school and for our community.”