School crossing campaign in Church Road Cheltenham Gloucestershire

For years, residents of Church Road in Cheltenham have voiced concerns over pedestrian safety, particularly during school hours.

 

Despite numerous near-miss incidents, the absence of a formal crossing has remained a pressing issue.

 

In response, a dedicated school crossing campaign has been launched to address this critical need.

 

Leading the charge is Amalie, a Year Six student at Leckhampton Primary School.

 

She initiated a petition advocating for a zebra crossing on Church Road, emphasizing the daily risks faced by students and residents alike.

 

"So many people are using the road getting to school every morning and they just need some form of safety, especially for younger children," Amalie stated.

 

The campaign has garnered significant community support, with over 1,000 signatures collected.

 

Parents and teachers have reported numerous near misses, with cars mounting the pavements during the school run.

 

Amalie's father, Paul, highlighted the challenges faced in bringing this issue to the forefront.

 

"It became clear that whilst children's safety was a priority, because no one had been killed or injured on Church Road, it was a much, much lower priority," he explained.

 

The estimated cost for installing the zebra crossing is £75,000.

 

Funding commitments have been secured from Gloucestershire County Council, Cheltenham Borough Council, and Leckhampton with Warden Hill Parish Council.

 

However, the campaign still faces a shortfall of approximately £3,000.

 

Efforts to bridge this gap include distributing flyers and posters throughout the area, urging residents to contribute to the cause.

 

Local councillor Martin Horwood emphasized the urgency of the situation.

 

"We don't want to wait until somebody is hurt. We want to get this done as soon as possible," he stated.

 

The community's proactive stance underscores a collective commitment to ensuring the safety of all pedestrians on Church Road.

 

As the campaign progresses, residents remain hopeful that the necessary funds will be raised, allowing the zebra crossing to become a reality and providing a much-needed safeguard for the community.