Parents in plea for crossing at Spellbrook Primary as HGV ‘dangers’ loom

Parents say a decision to overturn a ban on HGVs travelling past their children’s primary school will add to the dangers they already face.

Spellbrook C of E Primary is situated along the A1184 and parents say crossing the busy main road is already fraught with danger.

Justine Raja, whose six-year-old son Abel is in Year 2, says a Planning Inspector’s decision to overturn a ban on HGVs delivering to the new distribution centre at St James Way, Bishop’s Stortford south, will make what already is a “grim” journey to school even worse.

The mum, whose older children walk to Herts & Essex School in Bishop’s Stortford, from their home in Thorley Street, either drives Abel to school or they cycle together.

“I cycle on the road and he cycles on the pavement,” said Justine. “He’s a good cyclist and there is pavement all the way, but we have to cross the road.”

Justine claimed the school is continuously overlooked and when she heard the planning inspector’s decision she was very upset.

Her fears were echoed by parent/teachers association (PTA) secretary Nazanin Warren who said the lack of a crossing posed a significant risk to the safety of parents and children who need to walk along the road or cross it.

“Given the increasing volume of HGVs passing by, it has become even more vital to address this issue promptly,” she added.

Spellbrook head Jeremy Fisher said anything would be an improvement on the current situation.

“We’re trying to promote sustainable travel – to do that we need a safe way to cross,” he said. “It’s been raised with the council, but the problem we’re having is one of jurisdiction.”

Cllr Eric Buckmaster, Hertfordshire County Council member for Sawbridgeworth, said he had asked for speed and volume surveys to be undertaken and once done thought would be given to what might be possible.

He said he had arranged for the 30mph speed warning sign adding: “Let’s keep working towards making it safer.”