Pupils' safety 'put at risk'
A HEADTEACHER has claimed that children's safety has been compromised by changes to the road network in the city centre to accommodate John Lewis.
As part of the alternations for the arrival of the department store, traffic is now being diverted away from the city centre down Longbrook Road and York Road and directly past St Sidwell Primary School.
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The school said the increase in traffic had been "huge" and their worst fears over the added danger were confirmed just days into the new term when a four-year-old girl was knocked over just outside its gates.
Emergency services were called to the school at 8.42am on Friday, September 14, after reception pupil Yalda was hit by a car while using the zebra crossing with her mother Anisa Alizada.
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She was taken to the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital for precautionary checks but escaped with just minor injuries.
The road was cleared just before 9.30am. Ms Alizada said: "I was hit in the shoulder and then my daughter was hit and rolled in the street. I was very shocked and very scared. I pulled my daughter towards me and clung to her.
"She had injuries to her head and knee but was well enough to return to school on Tuesday.
"I am still very shocked by it all and I cannot sleep very well.
"I would like to urge everyone to slow down especially when they are approaching the zebra crossing in front of the school."
The incident was an accident waiting to happen according to the school's headteacher Anne Hood who said it highlighted the increased risk to pupil safety.
She said: "There is a huge amount of traffic here now. The whole area has been re-done with the arrival of John Lewis in mind and they have rerouted traffic that used to go up Sidwell Street through York Road.
"It has had a huge difference in the volume of traffic and they narrowed the road as they thought it would slow people down. But it has just made it more dangerous.
"It is very busy at peak times. The council have put in a zebra crossing but we did ask for a pelican crossing but the authorities would have to fund that.
"We would also like to have a lollipop lady, which we recently lost, that would help matters."
School governor Jackie Willey said they warned the council in advance of the changes about the risks. She said: "From the outset a lot of people said it was ridiculous to reroute the traffic past the school. It is a shame it is not just temporary while the John Lewis work was done.
"Apparently outside the old Debenhams was a hotspot for accidents but how long until we become a hotspot? This will happen again and maybe next time it will be more serious.
"This has all come down to money and the cheaper option was a zebra crossing. What is the cost of a child's life and how many accidents have we got to have outside the school before something is done?
"When John Lewis opens it will only get worse. We will have all the lorries that have to go to the back of John Lewis and then all the cars travelling to park at King William, which is currently closed.
"All the authorities have bent over backwards to bring John Lewis to Exeter and give them what they want. Yet surely the safety of children is of more importance."
A Devon County Council spokesperson said: "We have been working with the school, local community and representatives from the Mosque to improve pedestrian routes in the York Road area, and to help reduce the impact of traffic diverted from New North Road.
"One of the decisions supported by the community included relocating the zebra crossing from the bottom of York Road near Longbrook Street to a more convenient crossing point for parents and children outside the school. We will continue to work with the school to help recruit a school crossing patrol."
Comments
by 147ref
Sunday, September 23 2012, 9:27AM
“no mention if driver stopped so police can fine him/her and maybe go on an improvement course or hit and run,,”
by willomax
Friday, September 21 2012, 4:11PM
“Its not a main road designed to withstand that much traffic.The school is pretty old it was probably an even smaller road then.Its not parents dropping off children its through traffic particularly doubledecker buses and lorries and the volume of that traffic at peak times.
There is nothing wrong with a school being by the road,if the road in question is capable of absorbing the through traffic without it being a problem.This road is not big enough for the amount of traffic ,thats why its dangerous.”
by smallboy2010
Friday, September 21 2012, 2:40PM
“Its a road - roads get used by cars. If its an issue why build a school next to a road ? Two suggestions - Stop everyone dropping heir kids of to school by car - especially when they live 500 yards away and someone do some crossing patrols. Its not a hard job in fact its easier than turning on your pc and saying get all the cars of the road anywhere near a school hospital old peopes home doctors surgery my house and all the other old politically correct chestnuts as they are a danger !!! I bet the next suggestion on here is blame John lewis for destroying the high street and it will be someone who does their entire weekly shop in tesco's !!!!!”
by willomax
Friday, September 21 2012, 1:06PM
“Smallboy daytime tv is not my thing but you do seem to have some anger issues and I hear that they like a good ranter on the Jeremy Kyle show.Take a look at the bigger picture.
Stuboy13 i dont disagree that we all need to be careful re road safety and I am not suggesting pedestrians are always in the right,but you have to take a look at what has happened to the whole system here.Its a mess and it has been done purely to accommodate John Lewis.
Surely nobody can seriously think its ok to create real danger on the road because a department store wont move into Exeter otherwise.Shame on whoever approved this system.”
by Stuboy13
Friday, September 21 2012, 12:18PM
“Got to agree with smallboy2010, exercising good road sense and extra caution is whats needed here. No the situation is not ideal but if everyone using the crossing takes extra care, I'm sure incidents can be avoided.
@ H20ADE - They may well of had right of way but it is a foolish person who steps out onto a crossing before they are sure that they have been seen or all vehicles have stopped. Having right of way does not mean that you have been seen or even if you have, that people are going to stop for you.”
by smallboy2010
Friday, September 21 2012, 8:41AM
“So its Waitrose's fault that someone had an accident on a zebra crossing ??????? your right dont let the facts get in the way of my opinion lol lol - I know lets ban all cars - well except for the whingers who think they they can dictate who can use a car and where they can use it. If yuor so concerned get of your butt and volunteer to be a crossing assistant and stop watching so much day time television - you know - the stuff that forms all your opinion for you !!!!”
by willomax
Friday, September 21 2012, 12:39AM
“I agree with wossup,I live in the area and saw the accident.Its an absolutely ridiculous system in a road not designed to withstand so many vehicles and such large ones.Double decker buses and lorries regularly mount the pavement to turn into York Road from Longbrook Street.Cars overtake going up the hill because they cant stand the queues.Its horrendous and will only get worse as traffic flow increases up to Christmas.The accident all of us who live around here knew would happen has,lets hope they change something before an even worse one occurs.
Smallboy its not a good idea to mock something when people have been injured,not funny or clever.”
by Sarah_Jones11
Thursday, September 20 2012, 4:30PM
“Profit and Council Tax ahead of looking after the community.
This whole John Lewis thing is a scandal and brings discredit on the City Council who have put commerce ahead of safety.”
by H20ADE
Thursday, September 20 2012, 4:15PM
“smallboy, read the article they were on the pedestrian crossing, therefore had right of way. But don't let the truth get in the way of your opinion.”
by smallboy2010
Thursday, September 20 2012, 1:30PM
“Well - they could always look right and look left and tehn look right again - of course the alternative would be to say crossing the road is now outlawed due to health and Saftey issues. Grow up and get with the 21st centuary - or have a quick peak at schools in big cities. Do yo see them whinging becuase the road is busy ??”