New MP backs road safety campaign in Waltham Chase (From Hampshire Chronicle)

New MP backs road safety campaign in Waltham Chase

7:30am Wednesday 2nd June 2010 in Politics By Andrew Napier

NEWLY elected politicians are backing a safety campaign at a school in the Meon Valley.

George Hollingbery, the new MP, and city councillor Roger Huxstep have pledged to support safety at a local school, where dangerously heavy traffic passes daily.

They joined parents and children on their morning walk to St John the Baptist Primary School in Waltham Chase on May 21, the last day of ‘walk to school week.’ Headmaster Steve Morrison said: “We take walk to school week very seriously. So when we were contacted by our newly elected representatives we jumped at the chance for them to get involved. Our children are walking enthusiasts, but parents tell us they just don’t feel safe on the roads around our school.”

On the pre-election campaign trail Mr Hollingbery and Mr Huxstep promised to support the safer roads campaign.

Governor Helen Dyne said: “We thought we had secured funding for modest improvements but now we seem to have hit a stumbling block.

“The improvement measures simply include a pedestrian island, moving the 60mph speed limit away from the warden-controlled crossing, some white ‘virtual footway’ lines and a village gateway sign and planting.

“Our school is unusual because of its semi rural-location. The two main routes into school are the treacherous B2177 and Solomons Lane which is narrow and has no pedestrian footpath.

“Our children have waited so patiently over the years - the question that needs asking now is just how patient do they need to be!’ Parents have long been concerned that the route to St John’s represents an ‘accident waiting to happen,’ with lorries thundering through the village and drivers not always obeying the speed limit.

Mr Hollingbery said: “The parents, teachers and children of the school have been waiting now for two years for a refuge in the road, so I will be writing to the county council to find out what the delay is.

“From the sheer number of people who turned out today it's quite clear this is a major issue of concern and the situation needs to be sorted out as funding was promised for the improvements.

“I know that funding is tight, so I will be asking to see whether the council will match fund any money the local community raise to get this completed.

“Children need to be able to walk to school as safely as possible. Otherwise they end up being taken by car and that is not good for youngsters health.”