Family petition for crossing at school

Published on 23rd November 2006 in News

'A child will be killed' was the chilling warning this week as Howden town councillors discussed the consequences of failing to improve road safety near the secondary school.

Joe McLachlan, the older brother of the 13-year-old pupil hit and seriously injured by a bus on Station Road two weeks ago, is helping to lead a campaign to get a school crossing on Station Road. On Tuesday he told town councillors of a petition signed by the family and friends of Fred McLachlan and around 300 residents.

"It's ludicrous that there's no traffic control so close to a school - even the police said it was an accident waiting to happen," Joe told members.

"At best, we want a pelican crossing on Station Road, at worst a zebra crossing."

Station Road is classed as the rear entrance to Howden School but many pupils use it.

It has been suggested that pupils be prohibited from using that entrance, but Joe said the idea was "essentially stupid", as they still had to cross the road to get into the school by other entrances.

Fred was walking to school on November 9 with friends when he was struck by a school bus as he crossed the busy road. Fred's injuries were so severe that an air ambulance was sent to the school but was fortunately not needed.

One member of the public commented that she often took her sons to football matches at schools around Beverley and Hull and said: "Every school has traffic-calming measures - it's so noticeable."

The discussion moved to lorries in Howden and Cllr Robin Drury said: "They're coming in at 30mph from Station Road - far too fast to stop if a kid was in the road.

"A child will get killed before the East Riding get their thumb out of a dark place," he added.

"We are very lucky that it was a bus and not an HGV that hit Fred," said Cllr Ingrid Ridley.

Fred, who lives with his family in Kensington Gardens, suffered injuries to his scalp, lung, pelvis and back after being trapped under the bus. He is reported to be "comfortable and stable" by doctors at Hull Royal Infirmary this week.

Joe also said: "He's doing better than one would expect. He should be out of hospital in three and a half weeks and up on his feet in the new year."

Councillors wholeheartedly supported Joe's petition and also suggested asking for a 20mph speed limit near the school.

Joe is to submit the original petition to the East Riding of Yorkshire Council (ERYC). The town council will hand over a photocopy, and also write to Stephen Parnaby, leader of the ERYC and Howden's MP, David Davis.

After the meeting, Joe stressed the need for something to be done.

"Everyone I spoke to was ready to sign. A lot of people have crossed the road and just got away with not being hit.

"The sunlight and the parked cars make it hard to see. It needs to be seen to."

A spokesperson for the ERYC said: "We are planning work around Howden School and will be holding meetings with the head teacher.

"Any work outside the school will be dependent on a school travel plan, which will include surveys of vehicles, pedestrians and an overview of routes to school."