We are calling on Suffolk County Council to formally reassess pedestrian safety at the junction of Exning Road and Studlands Park Avenue in Newmarket and introduce appropriate measures to make crossing safer for children, parents and other pedestrians.

The junction is used by children and families travelling between the Studlands area and Laureate Community Academy, particularly during school drop-off and pick-up times.

At present, there is no controlled pedestrian crossing or school crossing patrol at this junction. Families are therefore required to judge gaps in traffic and rely on approaching drivers seeing them and stopping before they can cross.

The junction layout and restricted visibility make this particularly concerning when young children are crossing, especially during busy periods.

This concern has been raised before

This is not a new issue.

In September 2023, a parent contacted Suffolk County Council about the safety of children walking from the Studlands area to Laureate Academy and specifically raised concerns about crossing Studlands Park Avenue. The correspondence was subsequently considered by Newmarket Town Council. (Newmarket Town Council⁠)

In October 2023, Newmarket Town Council formally discussed the safety of children walking to school and crossing busy roads at Studlands Park Avenue. The council recorded concerns about children walking from the Studlands estate to Laureate and having to cross two main roads with no crossing facilities. The Town Council resolved that its Town Clerk would contact Suffolk County Council Highways to highlight the issue and seek guidance. (Newmarket Town Council⁠)

The issue had also been raised previously. In April 2021, Newmarket Town Council specifically requested that Suffolk County Council consider the safety of the Studlands Park Avenue / Exning Road junction when considering safety measures on Exning Road. (Newmarket Town Council⁠)

Despite these previous concerns, families continue to face the same difficulty when crossing this junction.

What we are asking Suffolk County Council to do

We ask Suffolk County Council to:

Carry out a formal pedestrian and highway safety assessment of the Exning Road / Studlands Park Avenue junction.
Assess the junction during school drop-off and pick-up times, when children and families are regularly using the route.
Assess the feasibility of installing a controlled pedestrian crossing, including pedestrian traffic signals where appropriate.
Consider other appropriate measures, including a zebra crossing, school crossing patrol, improved signage and road markings, visibility improvements or traffic-calming measures.
Consult with Laureate Community Academy, parents and local residents when determining the appropriate solution.
Provide the community with a clear response explaining the findings of the assessment and what action is proposed.
We are not asking the council to install a particular type of crossing without proper assessment.

We are asking for this junction to be properly investigated and for appropriate measures to be introduced so that children and families can cross the road more safely.

If you live locally, have children attending Laureate Community Academy, use this route, or are concerned about pedestrian safety in the area, please sign and share this petition.

The more local residents and families who make their concerns known, the clearer the community’s request will be to the relevant authorities.