Lollipop patrol protestors' warnings about school run safety in Histon and Impington
A group of concerned parents and cyclists took to the streets dressed as ‘lollipop’ men and women to direct traffic so children could walk and cycle to school in safety.
The Healthy Streets for Histon and Impington campaign group organised a ‘walk to school’ action morning last week where a group of volunteers led families along Station Road to the infant and junior schools. Along the way seven volunteers, dressed in homemade uniforms, helped children cross the road.
Ros Hathorn, one of the campaigners, added: “We decided to stop traffic on the school run because we believe every child and every family should be able to cycle and walk to and from school in Histon and Impington safely. We do not believe this is the case at the moment and nothing is being done about it.
“We regularly hear people talking or see posts on social media of near misses with cars, or parents saying that Station Road is just not safe and hear of families who drive because they don’t dare cycle. It’s 2019 and things seem to be getting worse rather than better here.
“This action is not about banning cars and stopping parents from driving to school, it’s about making it safe for the families who want choose not to drive.
“In Histon and Impington if you wish to get from the north of the village to the infants school or from the south to the junior school, there are two routes – one is along Station Road, a narrow residential road and the other down the B1049.
“Our argument, quite simply, is that at busy times, when families are trying to access the schools safely, people should not be using Station Road as a rat run and it should be reserved for families and residents of that road.”
Campaigners have suggested potential solutions such as a traffic regulation order, a part-time bollard or gate across the road, or a redesign of the road entrance to make it clear it was a residential street.
A Cambridgeshire County Council spokesperson said: “Our road safety team works closely with schools advising them on all aspects of road safety education, sustainable transport and parking issues.
“We recognise the issues raised by the parents and we will look into their concerns. We are also working with both the infant and junior school to review their travel plans.
“We would always urge parents to speak to the school, parish council or local councillor about any concerns they may have and we can then look at possible solutions.”