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Gedney Drove End and Holbeach St Marks Primary Schools want action to slow down drivers




Governors and staff at two South Holland primary schools are calling for traffic calming measures to protect pupils and parents.

Gedney Drove End and Holbeach St Marks Primary Schools, both members of the Griffin Federation along with Westmere Primary School, Sutton Bridge, have asked parish, district and county councillors for help to slow drivers down in their villages.

A request for a 20mph outside Gedney Drove End Primary School, in Main Road which currently has a 30mph speed limit, has been backed by Gedney Parish Council, while senior staff at Holbeach St Marks Primary School plan to hold talks with the chairman of Holbeach Parish Council’s speeding committee, Coun Michelle Manley.

Holbeach St Marks Primary School.
Holbeach St Marks Primary School.

Karyn Wiles, executive head teacher for the Griffin Federation, said: “Governors raised a concern about the speed at which traffic comes through both villages and wrote a letter to Lincolnshire County Council.

“It, in turn, responded to governors by explaining that this was a parish council issue.

“The governors then contacted Gedney and Holbeach Parish Councils respectively, requesting that they look into traffic calming measures.

Chairman of governors Justine Sands said: "The governing body is extremely concerned about the lack of measures in place outside our schools to ensure the children are safe.

"Unlike most schools, there are no zig-zag lines, no 20mph speed limit, or any traffic calming measures at all outside Gedney Drove End Primary School.

"Unfortunately, cars go past the school at a dangerous speed and, as a community, everyone is extremely worried that there will be a serious incident before too long.

"With regards to Holbeach St Marks Primary School, there are many wide vehicles coming through the village at speed and there are also several potholes outside school that have been reported but have not been repaired.

"Another major concern at both schools is the fact that there is very little signage to warn vehicles that a school is there.

"The paths outside both schools are also very narrow, so the worry is that vehicles are travelling at high speed and incredibly close to the path where young children are.

"These are serious concerns and in order to prioritise the children's safety, the Federation needs to see traffic calming measures put in to place at both of these schools as a matter of urgency.

“Both parish councils were fantastic in responding to our schools very quickly and they have both suggested ways in which traffic calming measures could be supported by them.

“At this present time, things have been put on hold, but we look forward to working with them in the future.”

Speaking last week to our sister newspaper, the Lincolnshire Free Press, Coun Manley said: “I am working on plans that include more speed signs and a series of actions local schools have asked for to help protect the children.”

There is some hope for Gedney Drove End’s request from the fact that county highways managers are looking at the possibility of extending an existing 40mph zone.

Gedney parish and district councillor Jo Reynolds.
Gedney parish and district councillor Jo Reynolds.

Governors of Gedney Drove End Primary School also have the backing of parish and district councillor Jo Reynolds who said: “I am in full support of a 20mph limit outside the school.

“The children’s safety must come first and cars to travel far too fast down that road.”

Coun Peter Coupland, whose Holbeach Rural county council ward includes Gedney Drove End, said: “I am in support of the 20mph advisory speed limit and have asked Lincolnshire County Council to instigate the process as soon as possible.

Coun Peter Coupland, whose Lincolnshire County Council (Holbeach Rural) ward includes Gedney Drove End.
Coun Peter Coupland, whose Lincolnshire County Council (Holbeach Rural) ward includes Gedney Drove End.

“Gedney Drove End Primary School is on a straight stretch of road and speeding vehicles are sometimes evident.

“We need to keep our children as safe as possible so this speed limit should be implemented for all concerned.”

In contrast, concerns about speeding outside Holbeach St Marks Primary School were questioned by district and county councillor Nick Worth.

Coun Nick Worth, Lincolnshire County Council member for Holbeach ward.
Coun Nick Worth, Lincolnshire County Council member for Holbeach ward.

He said: “Over the years, I’ve invited the county council’s highways team down to look at it but, when the school is open, cars are parked on the opposite side of the school, making it virtually impossible to speed due to the number of vehicles parked there.

“The school is also on a corner so vehicles naturally have to slow down anyway for visibility reasons.

“I think the complaints are largely about farm vehicles and tractors but farming is a large part of the rural nature of the area and we cannot stop them from moving produce and they do provide the food that we depend upon.”

Gedney Drove End could have 40mph speed limit along Marsh Road extended



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