Luke Hall MP was last week joined by the pupils of The Ridge Primary School in Yate, in a bid to increase awareness of current road safety concerns. Mr Hall met with staff and students of the Ridge at the zebra crossing on Station Road, which the MP and fellow residents of Yate have flagged as a growing issue.The crossing, frequently used by the parents and children of the Ridge, is widely considered to be a real danger for both motorists and pedestrians, a feeling echoed by the local Member of Parliament, and the Ridge School itself.
Having contacted Mr Hall, the Headteacher of The Ridge Primary School, Mr Phil Boult, stated, “We are trying to encourage parents to ‘park and stride’ to school to ease congestion around the Ridge / Broadway site.” Mr Boult continued, “Parents park in the ‘new carpark’ and should be able to use the new crossing, however because it is not easy for drivers to anticipate crossers, parents are still having to use the unofficial crossing outside the Ridgewood centre, which involves managing traffic coming from several different directions.”
Thanking the school for its support, Luke Hall said “it is important that the concerns of teachers and parents are heard regarding this crossing” and reiterated his desire for further road safety measures to be implemented. “I would like to pass on my sincere thanks to everyone at the Ridge who is backing my calls for action to be taken at the zebra crossing on Station Road” Mr Hall said.
Following pressure from Luke Hall and local residents, South Gloucestershire Council have confirmed that there are plans to erect pedestrian railings between the Shopping Centre Car Park and the crossing, in an attempt to address the community’s concerns. Responding to the announcement, Luke said “It is my understanding that South Gloucestershire Council are waiting for written permission from Yate Shopping Centre to introduce railings on one side of the crossing, which is welcome news. As a local resident, I hope the Council will continue to pursue this course of action, and indeed any additional measures available to them.”