Coupals Primary Academy, Haverhill, addresses ‘dangerous’ driving and inconsiderate parking concerns
Inconsiderate parking and dangerous driving outside a Haverhill primary school have prompted its headteacher to request a crossing patrol and to take other road-safety steps.
Coupals Primary Academy, in Chalkstone Way, is addressing road-safety issues reported by some parents or carers.
Last Thursday, Alison Lamper detailed on social media how she was almost hit by a car while using the pedestrian crossing outside the school, which is also on a road regularly used by double decker buses.
Others have also raised safety concerns over the crossing and driver behaviour at school drop-off and pick-up times.
These include not only the safety of the pedestrian crossing but vehicles being parked on grass verges, speed humps and white zig zag markings.
She said: “I nearly got hit on a zebra crossing yesterday afternoon. I was one step away from colliding.
“Now I know how to stop, look and cross. My thought is she probably got dazzled by the sun.
“What if I had been a child? There is no excuse.
“If you can’t see properly then slow down or even better, stop.
“She finally saw me when she was already passed. That is too late.
“Didn’t stop to apologise though.”
Tom Wade, Coupals’ head of school, said the school had received reports of some ‘dangerous driving’ in Chalkstone Way.
Mr Wade said: “It has been reported that cars are being parked in places which are presenting issues for community.
“Parents have reported that cars are not always stopping at the pedestrian crossing.
“Therefore, the school has alerted Suffolk County Council and requested that it provides a crossing patrol.
“Suffolk County Council has agreed to complete an observation.
“The school has reminded staff and children to remain vigilant when arriving and leaving.
“Also, the school is recruiting junior road safety officers to raise the importance of road safety.
“This will also be addressed in PSHE (personal, social, health and economic) lessons.”
