Walking or wheeling to school offers invaluable benefits: improved health and resilience for children, greater independence, and reduced school run congestion, leading to better air quality for everyone. Studies show that 25% of morning traffic consists of parents driving their children to the school gates [1]. Imagine the positive impact on our community if more children could walk safely to school!

Currently, safe walking routes to school are a matter of chance, a lottery for our children. This is unacceptable. Every child deserves a safe and independent walk to school.

We, the undersigned, petition Sheffield City Council to install a zebra crossing on Sheldon Road at the junction with Sanford Grove Road. This crucial addition will dramatically improve safety and independence for the children of Nether Edge Primary School, their parents, and the wider community.

We understand the financial pressures facing the council and the need for prioritization. However, the sheer number of near misses reported by parents demands urgent action. Our survey revealed that a staggering 66% of local parents have witnessed or experienced a near miss while walking to school [2]. In workplaces, near misses are taken seriously, recognized as valuable indicators of potential hazards [3]. Ignoring such a high level of near misses involving our children would be a grave oversight. We cannot wait for a serious accident to occur before taking action. This isn't just about statistics; these are our children's lives at risk.

This action aligns perfectly with Mayor Coppard’s recent pledge to “Make South Yorkshire the best place in the country to walk, wheel and cycle for our children” [4]. We urge the Mayoral Combined Authority to allocate the necessary funds to enable Sheffield City Council to provide this – and the many other – safe routes to school that are so desperately needed.

This zebra crossing is not just a simple road improvement; it's a vital investment in our children's future and the health of our community. It's an investment in cleaner air, reduced congestion, and the well-being of our children. It's about giving our children the freedom to walk to school safely and independently. We urge Sheffield City Council and the Mayoral Combined Authority to prioritize this essential safety measure and work with us to make it a reality. Please sign this petition and help us create a safer walk to school for all children.

References

[1] Living Streets School Run Report by Smith, H 

[2] Local Living Streets Survey presentation (2024). Download survey presentation here. 

[3] The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) advocates recording near misses: “Near misses are less severe than accidents. However, near misses should not be ignored or treated lightly, as they can provide valuable insight into how well you are managing health and safety.” https://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/near-miss-book.htm 

[4] Mayor Coppard's 2024 manifesto