After months of lobbying and public campaigning, parents of Haddenham Community Infant and Junior Schools are now able to celebrate success in their desire to see a pedestrian crossing approved for installation in Woodways.
The Cabinet of Bucks County Council has now given the go-ahead to fund a pedestrian crossing between the two Community Schools.
As well as providing a much safer crossing route for young children, parents and carers, it will also be a major benefit for senior residents (such as members of the Over-60s Club) as they attend events and activities at the Youth & Community Centre. Use of the zebra crossing is also likely to slow traffic down, which can be a particularly serious issue when drivers are rushing to and from their place of work in Haddenham from outside the village.
There has been an ongoing campaign for the implementation of a pedestrian crossing on Woodways for many months – indeed, for years. A feasibility study and health and safety audit had been conducted by Bucks County Council, and both led to the conclusion that a pedestrian crossing for Woodways was desirable. However, despite this, the County Council had felt that it could not fund a crossing due to the low number of incidents on this road.
Woodways has been without a School Crossing Patrol Person for some months. John Bercow MP wrote to the Chief Executive of Bucks County Council last year outlining the severity of the situation and giving his support. District Councillor, Judy Brandis, has also been very supportive.
Local campaigners Emma Lister and Angela Matthews were both delighted to learn of the change of heart at Bucks County Council:
"We are thrilled to hear that funding has now been agreed by the Cabinet despite the serious financial constraints that the local authorities are having to work within."
"It is especially pleasing and a huge relief that we've not had to wait for a serious accident or even a fatality before this very sensible decision has been reached" said Emma. "Let's hope the installation takes place very speedily, now that funding has been approved."
