Green councillors call for zebra crossing and traffic-calming measures at Seaford primary school: petition gets almost 300 signatures
Seaford Green Party councillors are calling for safety measures and a zebra crossing to be introduced at a primary school.
The councillors said a ‘safer school streets scheme’ and crossing would guarantee that Chyngton School pupils could safely walk, cycle and scoot there.
Becky Francomb, Green Party councillor for Seaford East, presented a petition to East Sussex County Council (ESCC) on Tuesday, December 2.
It was signed by almost 300 residents also calling for the road safety measures.
Councillor Francomb said: “Traffic around the school has increased hugely over recent years. There have been near misses with children backed into as cars try to park or manoeuvre on zig zag lines.”
She said families do not feel safe to walk to school, while residents’ drives are blocked.
The councillors said a school streets scheme would see traffic-calming measures around the school at drop-off and pick-up times. They added that a zebra crossing on Hillside Avenue/Walmer Road would provide safe access at all times to both the school and Walmer Road Recreation Ground.
The Greens said their Seaford councillors managed to get Chyngton onto a list of schools to be considered for the safer school streets scheme after campaigning. But they said the decision by East Sussex County Council is not expected until early 2026.
Ezra Cohen, Green Party councillor for Seaford East, said: “A Chyngton Primary school streets scheme would keep kids safe on their way to and from this school. But we know other local schools face similar problems which need to be tackled too. Ensuring safe streets in residential areas, particularly near schools, benefits the whole community.”
Councillor Francomb said: “There is a busy road and bus route which cuts across the Chyngton Estate and many children, elderly people, and those with disabilities don’t feel safe crossing the road to the park, school and shops, limiting opportunities for active independent lives.”
She added that residents have been calling for a crossing for over 15 years.