Parents launch campaign over school speeding fears

Parents have launched a campaign to encourage drivers to slow down outside a village school, following concerns about speeding.

They said motorists going past Meadows Primary School on the A525 in Madeley Heath, Staffordshire, were ignoring speed limits and signs warning of a crossing patrol.

Campaigners highlighted a number of incidents and near misses on the 30mph road, which they said included a man being knocked down at the crossing in December.

Staffordshire County Council said it was looking at what improvements could be made to the road. Staffordshire Police confirmed it would take measures to tackle the issue.

Louise Mayor, whose children are at the school, said speeding on the road had "always been a problem" and was "getting worse".

One incident in December left a man with a head injury, and Mayor said that had spurred her and other parents on to raise awareness of the issue.

"People need to slow down," she said, ahead of a demonstration from residents outside the school on Monday morning.

"It is frustrating, very worrying, and I'm sure people wouldn't do it if it was their own children."

Jill Whitmore, who represents Madeley and Betley on Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council, has been a lollipop lady for five years and said some drivers "just don't care".

She said she sometimes got rude gestures from motorists and had come close to being hit on several occasions.

Whitmore described the incident in December as "like a horror film" and said she needed counselling afterwards.

"I felt devastated, I couldn't work," the Conservative councillor added.

She said she also saw a near miss earlier this month, which resulted in a driver slamming on the brakes to avoid hitting a pedestrian.

"If I'm not there, the children are in danger," Whitmore added. "It should be safe and that road isn't safe."

Patrick Allen, from the county council, said: "Keeping our roads and pedestrians safe remains our top priority and we do listen to residents when they have concerns about road safety in their area.

"We're actively looking at whether there are improvements that could be made at the location and any further actions will be prioritised against available resources.

"In the meantime, we would always ask motorists to drive responsibly and to the speed limits."

Insp Joel Hurst, of Staffordshire Police, said officers had received "numerous complaints" about speeding and dangerous driving in the area.

"We are continuing to work closely with local partners and will look to enforce measures to tackle these issues, such as community speed watches, speed gun operations and the use of a mobile speed camera van," he said.

"We are committed to protecting the safety of other road users and pedestrians and will take robust action against those putting others at risk."

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