3:17pm Thursday 3rd July 2008
By Claire Marshall
A CONTROVERSIAL new school crossing in a conservation area has been approved, despite fears it will cause traffic problems.
Almondsbury Parish Council had to make a "once and for all" decision on whether to go ahead with plans to create a pedestrian crossing for children at the primary school, in Lower Almondsbury.
Despite the fears of some councillors that stopping traffic could cause dangerous congestion, the plan was given the go ahead.
"All councillors felt that the safety of the children was paramount, however not all the children cross at one point and other issues needed to be taken into account," said Cllr Sheila Cook, South Gloucestershire councillor for Almondsbury and chairman of the parish council.
"It is all about reaching a balance, so we brought the discussion back to the council for a second time."
Some councillors raised fears that if a lollipop lady was to stop traffic travelling to and from the school this would cause serious congestion around Lower Almondsbury.
"We have a terrible problem with parking outside the school and I feel we are not getting enough support from the police on this," said Cllr Donald Bond.
"I don't knock people who drive their children to school, but there is a really bad problem with parking and if a lollipop lady does her job and stops the traffic this is going to cause chaos."
Cllr Bond added: "I believe an emergency vehicle would not be able to get down the road in front of the school at 3pm, it is impossible. So a crossing will not solve the safety problem."
Other councillors had concerns about signs being put up in a conservation area and the changes to the pavement and installation of tactile paving - paving with a raised surface to alert blind people to safe crossing places Cllr Cook said: "I actually have concerns about the tactile paving because I suffer from osteoporosis and I am sure others who have arthritis would agree it is very painful to walk on."
However the council agreed that the safety of children was of the greatest importance and voted eight for the crossing and two against.
Cllr Liz Rowe said: "I feel like we have been seen as the bad guys in this, but as parish councillors it is our job to debate the issues.
"As far as I am concerned I would love to see a lollipop lady outside the school but we do also have to sort the traffic problem out."
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