Dudley MP calls for safety improvements at school crossing
An MP is calling for urgent safety improvements at a crossing between two school buildings following a series of near misses.
Sonia Kumar, MP for Dudley, said she had been contacted by multiple constituents reporting a growing number of 'near misses' at the crossing over the past six months. Incidents described included cars and lorries braking sharply, drivers shouting at pedestrians, and children and parents being forced to run or retreat to avoid being struck.
The school is split across two sites on opposite sides of the road, linked by a zebra crossing.
Miss Kumar said she had now written to Councillor Patrick Harley, leader of Dudley Council, calling for immediate measures to address serious safety concerns.
However, Councillor Harley said he had yet to receive Miss Kumar's letter, although he would be happy to look at the issues raised.
“These accounts are deeply alarming,” said Miss Kumar. “No parent should fear for their child’s safety simply crossing the road to school. The situation has now reached an unacceptable level of danger.”
Miss Kumar said the school had been without a crossing patrol for four years, since the post was scrapped due to budget constraints.
She said the school now had 410 pupils. with staff and children needing to cross the road several times a day.
Miss Kumar added that the school, in Zoar Street, was located on a main route used by the public, emergency services, and construction vehicles due to recent building works, she added.
She said existing crossing was poorly located, and decisions had been based on out-of-date traffic data compiled during lockdown, when there were fewer cars on the road.
Miss Kumar said about 30 per cent of pupils at Red Hall had additional needs, increasing the need for safe, predictable crossing conditions.
She said the 20mph speed limit outside the school was advisory only, whereas other schools had ones that were enforceable by law.
In her letter to Councillor Harley, Miss Kumar asked the council to consider moving the crossing to a safer location, reinstating the crossing patrol, and introducing an enforceable speed 20mph limit. She also called for a fresh traffic survey to be carried out.
“The safety of children, families, and school staff must come before anything else,” she said.
"These are practical, achievable steps, and I am asking the council to act quickly. I look forward to receiving a detailed response from Councillor Harley and to working together to ensure this crossing is made safe.”
Councillor Harley said he had not received a letter from Miss Kumar, but would be look into her concerns.
He said: “I really would like to assist with the issues raised. However, its difficult to be helpful when the MP sends her concerns in a letter addressed to myself, but the Press receive it before I do.
"This is an MP who is clearly playing politics rather than wishing to sit down and attempt to deal with issues."
