During the school run to Great Ouse Primary Academy, the streets around Seaforth Gardens, part of the St Andrews Estate, are full of dangerous driving, irresponsible parking, and congested pathways. The daily experience of trying to get children to school safely is not unique to me but is shared by many other parents and community members who have also had near misses or collisions.

The primary concern is around the dangerous parking and driving along pedestrian pavements. Vehicles are parked indiscriminately, forcing parents with young children and buggies to navigate onto busy roads and coming inches away from moving vehicles using the pavements to drive off. Moreover, the speeding problems and use of phones whilst driving—especially during peak hours—pose an imminent threat to the safety of children, parents, and staff at the school.

Great Ouse Primary Academy is an essential part of our neighbourhood, yet the roads surrounding it do not reflect this importance. As things stand, the recurring risk to children's safety is untenable. It is crucial that Bedford Borough Council Highways prioritises the adoption of St Andrews Estate roads to ensure proper maintenance and to implement necessary road safety measures on Seaforth Gardens. In order for the Council to adopt the roads,  Vistry must complete remedial works scheduled by the Council. Vistry have a responsibility to get the estate and roads in order so that they can be adopted by the Council.

Statistics indicate that poorly managed road systems significantly increase the likelihood of accidents, and our community deserves better. The council’s intervention can involve the implementation of clearer road markings, installation of speed bumps, and enforcement against pavement parking. Such measures will drastically reduce the threat posed by current conditions.

This petition aims to rally support from our community to make our voices heard by Bedford Borough Council and our local MP. Each signature will signal our collective demand for safer streets so our children can travel to school without undue risk. It’s time we put protective measures in place, embracing proactive, community-focused solutions that safeguard our children.

We urge local leaders and decision-makers within the council to hear our plea and act with urgency. Please sign this petition to help make St Andrews Estate a safer place for everyone, especially our children, and to promote a secure and responsible community environment.