THERE are fears for the safety of children attending a new Dearne school without a crossing patrol on a busy road.
Bolton Lacewood primary is one of Barnsley LEA’s new PFI schools. Parents are parking on both sides of the road which also feeds Heather Garth primary and Dearne Children’s Centre 100 yards away.
Buses have to manoeuvre through the gap in the middle and parents and children are crossing between vehicles. A planned turning circle within the school grounds has not been constructed.
“It’s like the Keystone Cops out there and a serious accident is waiting to happen,” said a local resident, who declined to be identified.
“Our concern is for the kids. Some of them have a long way to walk from Mexborough Road and have to cross several busy roads so we need more than one warden.”
Alan Carnall, Barnsley Council’s assistant director of highways and engineering, said that the move has significantly changed travel patterns and routes to the new school. Surveys have established the need for one crossing patrol warden, but highway warning signs and carriageway markings for motorists must be provided before she can start work.
