Safety plan for fatal crash site (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Safety plan for fatal crash site

3:57pm Thursday 29th March 2007 in Chippenham

THE Gazette's petition to improve safety in Hardenhuish Lane, Chippenham, where Sam Odell, 11, was fatally injured, is gathering pace.

Chippenham town councillor Bill Douglass, who lives nearby, is backing the campaign and has been talking to local schools.

Next week he is taking proposals to the Local Transport Plan Working Party in Chippenham, which can make recommendations to the transport authorities for changes to the roads.

He said: "We are moving forward rapidly and I am in discussion with all three local schools, Hardenhuish, Sheldon and now Abbeyfield, which want to support colleagues in the campaign for improving safety measures on Hardenhuish Lane.

"The Government, Wiltshire County Council and North Wiltshire District Council actively ask for public consultations and participation in local affairs and with this in mind we're hoping to supply the authorities with the opinions of 13,000 members of our community - 4,500 pupils and their 9,000 parents.

"We want to take the responsibility away from the children and put it upon ourselves, the motorists.

"Hardenhuish Lane is now a secondary road since the west bypass was built and previous restrictions on putting in traffic calming measures no longer exist."

The consensus of campaigners is to ask for a reactive flashing school sign at the top of the hill, which is time-controlled to be active when the children are crossing the road. Residents also want three speed bumps placed on the road.

Mr Douglass said: "These measures should have the desired traffic calming effect and reduce speeds outside the schools at critical times."

• Click here to sign our online petition.