£25k road safety measures planned near Dudley school
A series of traffic calming measures are set to be installed outside a primary school due to concerns over safety which were first raised by campaigners almost a decade ago.
Speed cushions will added in Aintree Way, outside Milking Bank Primary School, Dudley.
While a 20mph speed limit will also be enforced under safety proposals that have been recommended for approval.
Markings on the road warning drivers to slow down approaching the sharp bend would also be added as part of the £25,000 scheme.
The proposed changes have received the backing of school leaders and local councillors - though four objections have been lodged by residents.
Some neighbours have complained that the addition of the speed humps will be an inconvenience, while there are also fears they could damage vehicles.
But council bosses say they want to reassure people living along Aintree Way that the changes will be a benefit to the area and will cut speeding.
Milking Bank headteacher Richard Mason said: "This is something that has happened around a number of schools in the local authority.
"Anything that helps to ease congestion outside the school is going to be a benefit.
"When you go past any school traffic is always and issue and anything that can be done to help is obviously a good thing."
Ward councillor Mary Roberts said there has been safety concerns regarding the road for years.
She said: "This is my ninth year in office and I can remember talking about it in my first year. I remember going down to a public meeting with residents then.
"It's not just speeding, when the time comes for children to come out of the school there are so many cars parked that it restricts access. It ends up single file traffic and other cars stopped going the other way."
Dudley Council has sought to ease concerns raised by residents about the proposed changes, insisting drivers will be able to maintain a constant slow speed while navigating the humps.
Bosses also said the speed cushions had been designed in keeping with Government guidelines and would allow vehicles to pass with out creating excessive noise or causing damage to them.
A final decision on the speed measures is set to be made on Friday and if they are approved Councillor Roberts said she would like to see the changes implemented as soon as possible.
