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Pupils campaign to stop danger drivers

Sue Carr
27/11/2002

CHILDREN are taking drastic action in a bid to stop car accidents outside their school.

Staff at St Paul's Primary School in Richmond Street, Stalybridge, have been campaigning to stop people driving into the dead end street for months after a child was almost killed crossing the road.

And although several letters have been sent to parents appealing for safer driving, traffic turning outside the school is becoming an increasingly dangerous problem.

Cars pulling into the small street to drop their children off at school have to turn around or reverse back out on to the main Huddersfield Road.

Just two weeks ago a six-year-old boy was left badly shaken after a car driving out on to the main road only just stopped in time.

Pupils on the school council have now decided to picket the school gate each morning and afternoon in a move to prevent further accidents.

Ten-year-old council leader Rachel Palmer said: "People are coming on to the street and turning their cars around and it is hard for the children to cross in case they get knocked over.

"We thought that the other children would be safer if we did this and I think it might do some good."

Headteacher Janet Hand said the 'near misses' had happened on numerous occasions and when staff put cones across the road entrance, they were met with abuse.

She said: "No drivers have the right of way on Richmond Street, but they come in and then turn their cars round anyway.

"We are trying to discourage parents from parking anywhere near the school and, hopefully, this will appeal to their better natures."