Demand for crossing patrol

Councillor David Jones pictured outside the Hart Memorial Primary School at 3pm yesterday. The councillor is calling for a crossing to make it safe for pupils to cross the busy road at Charles St. INPT20-212.

Said Mr Jones, who has grandchildren at the school, “I have been campaigning for many years for the authorities to provide a patrol person for The Hart, which had its three patrols taken away 11 years ago.

“Yet, the authorities make a major publicity bid to encourage children to walk to school for one week only and everyone is supposed to jump to their tune.

“I have since found out that The Hart participates in a year-round series (the Sustrans Travel Project) where children either walk or cycle to school throughout term times and there is a large take-up. So, enthusiasm like that puts the Department’s ’Walk to School Week’ somewhat in the shade.

“The school won an award for the project during Danny Kennedy’s time as Stormont Minister, and they are to be commended. But it strengthens further the claims for road safety changes.

“The education authorities have rather too strict conditions for putting patrol officers in place. It’s purely down to the volume of traffic. So, Portadown College – where students are aged 15-plus – have their patrol officers, while the 450 pupils at The Hart – from nursery age to 11 – are denied.

“It beats me how three patrols were justified in the past, and all were taken away. Charles Street, where the school is situated, doesn’t carry as much traffic as other main roads, but it’s patchy and inconsistent and often carries large lorries travelling from Northway to the Loughgall-Armagh Road direction.”

He added, “I have again been in contact with Transport NI, Roads Services, and the education board in an effort to get at least yellow flashing lights at the school when pupils are entering or leaving during the day to warn drivers where they are approaching.

“Although I have been assured the situation will be reassessed by Transport NI I have also been advised nothing maybe done due to financial constraints. I find this totally unacceptable as I am sure a parent of a child who could be injured or even worse would feel.”

He went on to say repeated surveys had been carried out by the board, “but they do not satisfy the rather bureaucratic criteria and I will keep trying.”