As some may recall, I previously wrote about a visit to Northampton Academy and mentioned the discussions I had been having with the school and the Council about improving road safety immediately outside the school.
Before Christmas 2019, a Year 7 boy at the school was injured when hit by a car outside the school. The school contacted me for help because of their understandable concern about pupil safety and I asked the Director of Northamptonshire Highways to meet me at the school to discuss the matter with the Principal.
Soon afterwards, the Principal, the senior Highways officer and I went on a site visit to the Wellingborough Road crossing point outside the school and discussed measures to try to improve safety. More recently there has unfortunately also been a further incident involving a school pupil on that road.
I am pleased to report that we have now been successful in this campaign and the Council has now confirmed that the legal alteration to the speed limit on the Wellingborough Road has now gone through the Traffic Regulation Order process with no objections, which means they are now able to proceed with the works. As the road signs need to be illuminated, it is anticipated that these works will be carried out during the spring.
There is a light controlled crossing on Wellingborough Road to help pedestrians cross the road and I have been advised that the Council has plans in the new financial year to extend the pedestrian guard railing from the point where it currently ends, down to the controlled crossing point, which will ensure that school pupils are safely guided to the crossing point.
The safety of the children is paramount and action will be taken where needed to protect them as much as possible from potential dangers.
(Photo: Michael Ellis MP at Northampton Academy in December 2021)