PARENTS who are campaigning for a new crossing near three Thornbury schools are “part of the problem” when it comes to road safety, a resident has claimed. 


Last week, a group of parents, teachers and councillors told the Gazette they were furious that a crossing had not been installed in Knapp Road, despite months of campaigning.


The group said it would benefit children attending The Crossways Schools, Christ The King Primary School and New Siblands School, as there is no longer a crossing patrol worker there.


But some residents close to The Crossways Schools are arguing against the proposal for the crossing on the 20mph road.


Graham Lanfear, 70, who lives opposite the schools, said parents needed to meet with residents and discuss the best way to make the journey safer.


“I attended the Severn Vale Residents’ Forum meeting in Thornbury earlier this month and no consultation had been carried out with all the road frontage residents likely to be affected although the zebra crossing proposal appeared to be well advanced.


“I believe that now is the time for the road frontage residents to set-up a small action group to consult with all residents who are currently affected by any parking, congestion and pollution problems. 


“We are not against the parents – we all want the same thing – but they have to understand they can be part of the problem by parking poorly and facing the wrong direction so their children have to open their doors into traffic and run across the road.


“If the crossing patrol role cannot be filled, why can it not be delegated to members of staff at the school on a rota? The option of extending the school’s car park needs to be considered too.


“A crossing would be expensive and ineffective. We want community involvement so we can work together and all end up happy with the outcome.”


Another resident, who wished to remain anonymous, said: “Parents often ignore not only mandatory parking regulations like double yellow lines, entrance markings and bus stops, but also flagrantly ignore what can only be regarded as common sense.”


However, Crossways Road resident Sophie Davis, 41, supports the campaign for a crossing.


 “Because of the strangely shaped junction and many cars in the morning it is not safe,” she said.


“I fully agree with the school that a pedestrian crossing would be very helpful indeed.”


Crossways head teacher Mark Toogood said enlarging the car park has been considered, but would not be feasible.


“We would have to develop onto the juniors’ playground and take away their outdoor area which wouldn’t be ideal,” he said. “It would also have to come out of the school’s funds, which we do not have sufficient funding for.”


South Gloucestershire Council is currently assessing whether a crossing is necessary.