Meeting called after three children hit by cars in two crashes

Parents have described a narrow section of Wotton Road directly outside Kingswood Primary School as 'dangerous’ and a ‘recipe for disaster’, where families are forced to cross the road without a pedestrian crossing.

The situation has been exacerbated by the number of parked cars as there are currently no parking restrictions along the stretch of road.

In addition, a number of school buses on their way to and from Katharine Lady Berkeley's keep getting stuck in the road between the Car Clinic and the primary.

On Tuesday, July 11, at 2.55pm, a child was hit by a car, resulting in a fractured arm. 

Only ten days later, two children were hit by a car in a second incident at 12.35pm on Friday, July 21. 

Following the two incidents, many parents are urging authorities to make the road safer.

A public meeting has now been scheduled for Monday, August 14, organised by Kingswood Parish Council with Gloucestershire County Council and Gloucestershire Police. 

Cars and a school bus getting stuck in Wotton Road during the last week of the school term on Tuesday afternoon, July 18 - credit Sian Blackham (Image: Sian Blackham)

Cars and a school bus getting stuck in Wotton Road during the last week of the school term on Tuesday afternoon, July 18 (Image: Sian Blackham)

“We need urgent action" says local parent 

Sian Blackham, a local parent who walks her two children to Kingswood Primary every day during term time, has started a petition urging the county council to carry out a road safety audit.

Ms Blackham said: “We need urgent action to protect our children as they walk to and from their schools. 

“The combination of a narrow pedestrian footpath, pinch point, convoy of coaches, parked cars, and oncoming traffic battling to get through is a recipe for disaster. 

“There has been a catalogue of near misses and accidents. 

“We were promised a highway safety audit on Wotton Road ahead of the school closing for the summer holidays. This hasn’t happened. 

“If nothing changes, our children continue to be placed at risk from hazards which could lead to serious injuries or death. 

“We need our concerns to be taken seriously and for Gloucestershire Highways to conduct a road safety audit as a matter of urgency and address the problem.”

Previously, in April, concerned families and councillors urged local bus companies to reroute and avoid Wotton Road entirely by diverting through New Road.

READ MORE: Calls for urgent action after school buses get stuck in narrow road

Pictures from earlier this year of school buses getting stuck in Wotton Road (Image: Kingswood Parish Council)

South Gloucestershire Council stated that it had rerouted its service with Eurocoaches , but residents reported that the bus was still driving down the road during term time. 

Meanwhile, the other bus service which is run by Applegates Coaches has not been rerouted.

GCC Councillor Linda Cohen (LD, Wotton-under-Edge) said: “Kingswood children and their families need to be able to walk to school safely. 

“It's a non-negotiable. However, it's not a straightforward problem to solve and will need everyone involved to come together to arrive at a creative solution. 

“This is not about blame but rather about collective action. 

“We've already seen how easily children can be injured by vehicles even when they are walking on the pavement.

"Two incidents in the last fortnight is two too many.”

Kingswood Parish Council Chairman Ken Wood said: “The parish council has been trying to raise this issue with Gloucestershire Highways and the bus companies for a number of years. 

“Neither Highways nor the bus companies will come out and view the problem or engage with us and the community on this issue. 

“SGC has recognised there is an issue and has agreed to re-route its buses, but the buses are still coming through the village!

“The safety of the children walking to school has to be the priority.

"There are narrow pavements, no crossing points, huge buses and speeding traffic. 

“No reason has been given as to why the reroute cannot be done. 

“KPC has invited Gloucestershire Highways and the Police to engage with the community at the public meeting on August 14, 2023. 

“We very much hope they will attend.”

Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown MP said: “I am always hugely concerned to hear of any incidents concerning road safety, especially when those concerns involve children and their safety when walking to school. 

“I have not been directly contacted by any party relating to this problem, however I was made aware that a conversation was taking place on addressing concerns. 

“I have contacted Cllr Dom Morris who is Cabinet Member for Highways, he is going to chase up the highways team to do a thorough assessment of the situation. 

“I will also be following up with the local schools, to get a first-hand report. 

“I am always very happy to hear directly from people and willing to take action, when possible, to help resolve issues.”

A spokesperson for Gloucestershire County Council said: “We are aware of the situation in Kingswood and thank residents and the Parish Council for bringing it to our attention.

“Our highways team is, and will continue to, work closely with Kingswood Parish Council to find a solution that is appropriate for all parties.

“We will provide an update on the situation at the public meeting.” 

A spokespersoon South Gloucestershire Council said: "We will be contacting our operator to request that they avoid the route if they are able to.”

The safety meeting is taking place at 7pm in Kingswood Village Hall on Monday, August 14.

You can view the petition here tinyurl.com/m2aa7p66 or you can find physical copies in the village shop.