Pupils put lives in danger

Civic leaders heard at a meeting of the Winchester Movement and Access Panel that children at Kings' School are not crossing Romsey Road at the designated point, controlled by traffic lights.

County councillor, Phrynette Dickens, said: "Children are not crossing at the lights, but running across the road. We counted that out of 200 youngsters, only 10 of them used the crossing."

She added: "Mothers were heard to say: 'Don't cross there (at the crossing). Come down the road. We're crossing at the corner".

City councillor, Patrick Davies, said residents in nearby Oaklands Close were growing concerned about the behaviour of pupils on the roads. Mr Davies said parents were parking in the entrance to the cul-de-sac."One lady is worried that parents are using it as a drop-off point.

That is causing problems, as the lady's husband needs oxygen delivered and access is being obstructed. But her main concern is that children from that school are going to be killed."

Ray Bradbury, headmaster of the 1,800-pupil school, disputed that the situation was as bad as Mrs Dickens said. "From our own surveys, the vast majority cross with care. But there will always be a few who break the rules.

"We talk to them periodically in assembly about the dangers of Romsey Road. It is a dangerous crossing. A lot of motorists jump the lights. It is a cause of great concern.

"We would like a crossing patrol person, but we cannot appoint one. That is a county council matter," he said.

County councillor, Keith Estlin, panel chairman, said he did not want to spend money on erecting barriers. He said it was a matter for the school to educate its pupils and their parents.

The county council is proposing to spend tens of thousands of pounds on improving safety around the city's schools.

County council officer, Nick Richardson, said many initiatives were being discussed, but there were no schools with serious safety concerns.