Father calls for speed limit (From Gazette Series)

Father calls for speed limit

A FATHER of three from Berkeley has accused the county council of sidelining children's safety to save cash for parking projects.

Nigel Sparrow, 45, attacked Gloucestershire County Council for wasting vital funding on unnecessary projects.

Mr Sparrow, who has two children at Berkeley Primary School, is calling for a 20mph limit outside the school on Marybrook Street.

He said this week he was disappointed that the county council had taken so long to impose the speed restriction but told of his anger that a less important scheme had been given the go ahead.

He told the Gazette: "There is a patch of ground between the Vale of Berkeley College and the Salmon pub and recently bollards have appeared on it to stop lorries going onto it and destroying the grass.

"I can't see the logic that the money can be found to do that, protect a patch of grass, but not to put in place a 20 mph zone near a primary school.

"How can you put money over the safety of children?"

A spokesman for Gloucestershire County Council said the authority was not aware of the bollards in Wanswell near the Vale of Berkeley College and was not responsible for their appearance.

The spokesman added that Mr Sparrow's appeal for a speed limit outside the school had not fallen on deaf ears.

"We have agreed, in principle, to a 20mph school safety zone which would operate at the beginning and end of the school day, i.e. the critical times of the day," he said.

"However, funding for such schemes is limited and we have a long list of schools and parishes making a request for such a system.

"Berkeley Primary School will be considered along with others across the county for inclusion within the programme."

Mr Sparrow told the Gazette: "Traffic on that stretch of road needs to be slowed down. It is an accident waiting to happen.

"It is the main thoroughfare through Berkeley and we have a lollipop lady but the traffic goes through there at a horrendous rate.

"The council has told me it might be in the budget for 2008 and something might get done then."

Mr Sparrow, who is retired for medical reasons, said he approached Gloucestershire County Council two years ago with his concerns about traffic in Berkeley and suggested a 20 mph zone was introduced.

"I know the police community support officer for Berkeley has been to the site recording speeds and a working party has been sent out but nothing has been done," he added.