As a concerned parent, I've witnessed first-hand the looming dangers on St Michael's Road. Every day, children attending school are exposed to harrowing experiences due to the sheer volume of traffic and careless parking. One unfortunate day, I became a victim myself when the door of an illegally parked car swung open and caused me injury. It is clear that decisive action is needed to ensure the safety of all children and pedestrians in our community.

The situation at St Michael's Road, especially during school hours, is precarious. A significant number of adults and their children risk their safety while navigating the congested streets. At peak times, the absence of a dedicated traffic crossing turns the area into a potential accident zone. The current arrangements do not suffice, and our community cannot afford to wait until more injuries, or worse, occur.

We propose the installation of a well-marked traffic crossing on St Michael's Road in front of the school. This simple yet effective measure will provide a designated space for pedestrians, making it significantly safer for children and adults alike to cross the street.

Moreover, we recommend the extension of enforcement cameras along St Michael's Road, particularly during the beginning and end of the school day. This would deter unsafe parking practices and hold those accountable who put others at risk by not adhering to traffic laws. An increase in surveillance could reduce incidents of illegal parking, enhancing the overall safety of the area.

Additionally, extending school streets both ways will ensure that all crossings provide a safe, car-free environment. This initiative will provide a more secure space for children to arrive at and leave school, easing the minds of parents who fear for their child’s safety every day.

According to the Department for Transport, pedestrian safety measures such as crossings and enforced school zones significantly decrease traffic-related injuries. Let's make St Michael's Road an exemplary model of child safety and community care.

Make your voice heard. Stand with us in calling for these necessary changes. Sign this petition to urge local authorities to take immediate, life-saving action. Together, we can secure a safer environment for our children.

This petition has been made with the full support of St Michael's in the Hamlet School as well as local councillor Tom Crone.