Danger road fears in closure protest

Written by Mandy Atkinson and published in Derbyshire Times on Thu 23rd Nov 2006

Moving protest: Lyn Holyoake (centre) and members of the Save Stoney School group walk along the A623

Anxious parents claim their kids would have to 'run the gauntlet' along one of the country's most dangerous roads under plans to axe their village school - spurring them to take to the streets in protest.

Residents in Stoney Middleton, who are fighting plans to close the village primary school, joined forces for the two-mile walk along the main A623 road which youngsters would have to take on their journey to and from an alternative school in Curbar.

The route has been labelled the UK's fifth most dangerous stretch of road by the AA, and traffic counts show an average of two lorries thunder alongside the narrow pavements each minute.

Members of the Save Our School SOS campaign staged the walk to highlight the dangers posed to families affected by the proposed closure put forward by Derbyshire County Council.

Lyn Holyoake, a governor at the under-threat school, said: "This is an horrendous road and to think that parents without cars will be expected to make this treacherous journey four times every day with their young children is just not on.

"Our counts show an average of two lorries thunder down the road every minute, the noise is deafening and in wet weather - as it was when we walked - you get absolutely drenched with spray and mud from the road."

Derbyshire Dales District councillor Cate Hunt and Derbyshire County Councillor Nigel Allwood joined in the round-trip on Tuesday with protesters who claim it takes 45 minutes each way.

Dulcie Jones, chairman of the school's Friends Parents and Teachers Association, added: "Councillors were able to experience at first hand one of the reasons why parents are so concerned about plans to close their school - running the gauntlet of the heavy lorry traffic."

Authority bosses have defended the proposal, which is currently out for public consultation, saying the school is half-empty and therefore costing £5,678 to educate each of its 21 pupils - more than double the average cost.

They say if the planned closure goes ahead in July, a 'dangerous route assessment' will be carried out to make sure the journey to Curbar Primary School is suitable.

23 November 2006