School-run car chaos must end says worried mother

A local parent has called for some sort of traffic calming measures outside Carniny Primary school after a near miss last week which almost resulted in two of her children being knocked down.
Donna Stephan with kids Sophia and Lukas who would like some sort of traffic controll at Carniny Primary School. INBT 25-868HDonna Stephan with kids Sophia and Lukas who would like some sort of traffic controll at Carniny Primary School. INBT 25-868H
Donna Stephan with kids Sophia and Lukas who would like some sort of traffic controll at Carniny Primary School. INBT 25-868H

Safety on roads surrounding the school has come into question with large numbers of cars parking on both sides of the road making it difficult for children to cross.

Concerned parent Donna Stephan contacted the Times last week after an incident at the school where her children narrowly avoided being hit by a car.

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She said: “I walk my two children to school and this is becoming more difficult and not to mention hazardous.

“Not only do cars park on double yellow lines but they park along the footpath which means that I often have to leave the footpath and walk on the road as I am coming to the end of Hillside Drive.

“This results in me having to walk a six year old and a five year old close to the middle of a road where there is traffic turning in from both directions.

“I also have two younger children who I have to walk as well as I had to stop bringing a buggy as it wouldn’t fit between parked cars.”

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“On Friday, June 7, an incident occurred which nearly resulted in me and two of my children being knocked down. After weaving in and out of cars we then had to cross the road.

The path was clear so we crossed then a car came reversing up at full speed to the entrance of school path, not seeing me or my children and driving off not even realising what had happened.

“This is not the first time and incident like this has occurred.”

Donna has proposed that a traffic calming measure of some kind is introduced into the area to help slow down traffic to allow children to cross safely.

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She added: “We need a safe area, whether that’s a zebra crossing, a lollipop man, or an island. Pupils have nowhere to stand on the footpath and end up standing on the road.”

Donna has called on the Roads Service to carry out a survey at the school.

The Times understands that several years ago the introduction of a lollipop was looked at but was rejected.

Principal Mr. Raymond Ross agreed that a patrol would benefit the school.