It’s good news for a Hitchin primary school, as a new zebra crossing has opened – but a mum has launched a petition for her kids’ school to get another one further up the same road.
The William Ransom Primary School crossing patrol for pupils in Wymondley Road, near where it meets Girons Close, is now a zebra crossing.
Walking mascot Buster greeted everyone when the crossing formally opened on Tuesday, with Hitchin South county councillor Derrick Ashley also there for the occasion.
Mr Ashley said: “After a long campaign by parents and the school I am so pleased we have finally managed to install a crossing at this busy point. On this morning’s evidence it is needed and will be very well used.
“Our new local transport plan will be giving much more emphasis on the need to encourage walking, particularly for children, and this crossing will help to encourage that.”
School head Mary Driver added: “William Ransom firmly believes that a healthy lifestyle is at the heart of the school.”
The crossing was paid for out of the Stuart Drive school’s expansion budget.
Further up Wymondley Road, a petition to Herts County Council has been started to get a crossing built for Mary Exton Primary School pupils.
Mum Fiona Barratt thinks there should be a crossing near the roundabout with St Michael’s Road – where Mary Exton pupils walking to and from the Oakfield estate must cross the street.
The fact there is only pavement on the southern side of Wymondley Road, under the railway bridge about 100 yards west of the roundabout, means Mary Exton pupils cannot cross further up and walk down.
“Crossing the road at the bottom of Wymondley Road, near the roundabout, can be very hairy,” Fiona told the Comet.
“We’ve had a couple near-misses in the time that the boys have been at school.
“We’ve tried crossing in various places, but have had close shaves wherever we are.”
Mr Ashley has expressed support, telling this paper: “I would like to thank Fiona for her initiative in launching this petition. Anything we can do to make it safer for children to walk to school needs to be supported and I will do my best to see if we can make progress.”
The Comet is awaiting comment on the petition from Mary Exton Primary School, which is off St Michael’s Road.
You can see Fiona’s petition here.
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