Children '˜at risk' crossing '˜dangerous' road to get to school

Mother-of-four Jayne Melhuish is one of many parents worried about children’s safety crossing Salvington Road to get to Durrington Infant and Junior School every day.

“Salvington Road is quite a dangerous cut through road now,” said 39-year-old Jayne, who lives with her husband in Pentland Road.

“It is quite dangerous trying to cross at the best of times but in rush hour it is nigh impossible to cross that road safely. It’s putting children at risk.

“There have been a couple of instances where children have run across the road and misjudged the traffic and cars have had to swerve to avoid them.

“We have got ‘20 is plenty’ signs along that road but so many people just ignore them,” she added.

The school had a dedicated lollipop person until last summer, but they had to quit due to ill health, Jayne said.

Now many parents are having to take it upon themselves to ensure children can cross the road safely, often having to go out in the road to try and get traffic to stop.

“A lady was knocked off her motorbike outside the school,” said Jayne, pointing out that the dangers don’t just apply to children.

“She stopped to let children cross and a car went into the back of her.”

The ideal solution would be a permanent crossing, either a zebra or pelican type, according to Jayne.

This would benefit local businesses and Durrington Library as well as the children, she said.

Sara Enfor, co-head teacher at Durrington Infant and Junior School, said that staff have been working with the county council to try to hire a lollipop person.

The school does support the idea as the road is very busy, she added.

A spokeswoman for West Sussex County Council said: “Both the school and ourselves have done everything we can to recruit someone.

“Unfortunately no one has come forward so far with the commitment to take on the role,” she added.

Are you ready to don the fluorescent jacket and keep children safe? Apply for the paid position of lollipop person at the school by emailing: [email protected].

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