Neil Carmichael, MP for Stroud, has received Brake’s Parliamentarian of the Month award, for campaigning against a road that runs directly through a school.
The 30mph road runs through Chalford Hill School in Stroud, Gloucestershire, and separates classrooms and amenities on either side. Despite years of campaigning by parents, children and teachers, no action has been taken.
A traffic survey, commissioned by Gloucestershire County Council, found that on a typical school day the road is crossed 1,400 times. However, it has no warning signs that children may cross and some drivers are unaware that the road runs through a school. Teachers have acted as school crossing patrols to ensure the children’s safety.
After the school wrote to MP Neil Carmichael in April, he immediately wrote to the DfT with an application for the closure of the road. This is now under urgent consideration and the school has been told that a decision will be made within five months.
Mr Carmichael also wrote to Gareth Vine, from the Children and Young People Directorate at Gloucestershire County Council. Mr Vine responded saying that he was in support of the campaign, and that it was a long term aim of the council to move the school into one site; removing the threat of the road. They are now awaiting a response from the DfT.
MP Neil Carmichael said: “I am thrilled to have won the Brake’s Parliamentarian of the Month award. Road safety is an issue that we cannot afford to neglect and is an issue that I am always happy to work on.”
For more information contact Ellen Booth, from Brake, on 01484 550067.
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