One child casualty is not enough for action say County

School is back in Whitchurch this week and the County Council cuts back on road safety.

Pressure on local roads
The school run has always been a contentious issue but it has become more so in recent years as school numbers grow and traffic increases. With the Primary School and Testbourne both back this week, the pressure on the local roads increases as children make their way to and from their places of education.

Child injured in collision
Both schools are in a residential area which also includes the town's largest play area as well as access to the Skatepark and BMX track. It is a place where children are expected yet during the summer a young child was in collision with a vehicle and hospitalised, with the report being it was an "unfortunate incident".

Concerns, worries and anger – and no action

A meeting was held in Alliston Way arranged by Basingstoke Councillor Chloe Ashfield who, along with many others, is concerned about the dangers. Local residents rightly expressed their worries and anger at traffic speeds, vehicles mounting pavements, parking on bends and lives being put at risk. Such views have regularly been passed to Hampshire County Council, but...

Despite these local fears, this week Hampshire County Council said – “sites that have treatable patterns of casualty incidents are being prioritised above other locations.” and, regarding Alliston Way, “... on this basis, further study is unlikely at this stage.”
They cite cuts for this approach.
It is unacceptable.

One child casualty is not enough
A young lad was injured. How many casualties are needed? Is not one too many?
Such a response ignores the harm of near misses, the close shaves and the worry and fear over personal safety that is generated. How do HCC decide how many casualties are required to make their "pattern" and what is that number?
Will they tell us their figure for Alliston Way?

Please don't drive on the
pavements.

Taking responsibility – we can all help
Meanwhile if driving in Alliston Way please look out for children. A child can be unpredictable and can make mistakes; that's what they do when they are learning and growing up. They are the responsibility of us all and children should not be punished by injury or worse because they may make a mistake. This is a residential area where people live, play and go about their normal lives and they expect to do so in safety. Please don't let there be another casualty.
And please don't drive on pavements, park on bends or ignore the 20mph speed limit. The rules are there for a purpose.

But will they listen?
While we all take our own responsibility we must also keep up the pressure on Hampshire County Council and Basingstoke & Deane to take some tangible action to make the area safer for all. Its what we pay for and expect.
They also need to take responsibility or more children will suffer, but will they listen?


Related article:
A HORRIFIC 20-MINUTES OF SCHOOL RUN