Millbrook school crash and near-miss spark call for action

The accident outside Tanners Brook Primary School, which left the girl shaken but not seriously injured, was followed by a near-miss the next day. 

Southampton City Council says it has been trying to recruit an officer to safely see children to and from school since January.

But with nobody yet in place to fill the role, resident Sarah Earney, who lives in nearby Meadowmead Avenue, fears it won't be long until another child is hurt.

READ MORE: Nine Southampton schools to close roads in pick-up and drop-off hours

The 44-year-old said: “People bomb along King George’s Avenue and there’s no ’20 is plenty’ sign like you see in most roads near schools. Often young children are crossing the road on their own and it’s an accident waiting to happen.”

She added: “I drive carefully as I know the road can be hazardous and I nearly hit a child after she walked out in front of me, just days after someone else was knocked over.

“Fortunately I was paying attention and had time to break but if that was someone else you dread to think what might happen, especially after one child has already been involved in an accident.

“I couldn’t live with myself if I didn’t say anything because if someone were to be seriously hurt it would be too late. The children’s safety is worth more than anything.”

Sarah, whose children used to attend Tanners Brook, says the situation has got worse after a lollipop lady retired a few years ago.

Derik Luscombe, 48, a parent at the school, said: "I do notice that people speed down there, maybe people are stressed and go a bit faster than they need to."

He said traffic lights at the junction of Stanton Road and King George's Avenue would make people feel safer as they cross the road.

Others suggested zebra crossings would be more appropriate as they wouldn't hold up traffic as much.

Tanners Brook Lane Primary School on Elmes Drive, Millbrook (Image: Newsquest)

Headteacher of Tanners Brook Primary School, Ingrid Dowse is urging motorists to be more careful.

She told the Daily Echo: “The safety of our pupils and staff during school drop off and pick up time is paramount.

“During these times the road outside Tanners Brook, Elmes Drive, gets very busy and it is important all road users are being considerate of school children, parents, cyclists and other cars on the road. 

“Last week a collision happened on the road outside Tanners Brook after school drop off hours. Fortunately, the pupil involved was not badly injured, however, we want to ensure an incident like this does not happen again.

“We are urging anyone who drives on Elmes Drive and the surrounding roads during busy times to park sensibly and to drive carefully. It is vital that our pupil and parent community is able to travel to and from school safely."

READ MORE: Deputy head praises scheme that is stopping near-miss crashes

In a statement, a spokesperson for Southampton City Council said: “We are aware that a child was unfortunately involved in a traffic incident near to Tanners Brook Primary School last week and we are glad to hear that they have recovered.

“We have been trying to recruit a School Crossing Patrol Officer for the junction of King George’s Avenue and Stanton Road since January 2023 when the post became vacant.

“Unfortunately, the difficulty in recruiting SCP Officers is a national issue and it is no different in Southampton.”