Oulton Academy supports campaign by Local Councillors to improve road safety for our children
On Friday 12th January 2024, Oulton Academy's Safer Schools Police Officer, PC Groves, and Miss Sims (Vice Principal) met with local Rothwell Councillors Conrad Hart-Brooke and Stewart Goulton to review the pathways, speed limits and bus stop on the A642 Wakefield Road next to the Academy.
There have been many concerns raised regarding the overgrowth of the greenery and poor conditions of the pathway, causing pupils to need to walk in the road. This is especially dangerous on a road with such a high speed limit, a blind corner bend and the road being downhill which increases traffic momentum.
The bus stop next to the school on the A642, Leeds direction, also presents many worries. On the opposite side of the road, A642 Wakefield direction, there is space for the bus to turn in and ample amounts of space for people to wait safely. The same cannot be said for the Leeds direction bus stop where there is a very narrow pathway. Anyone wishing to pass those waiting for a bus would need to step into the road into oncoming traffic. As there is also no turn in option for the bus at this stop, many other road users overtake the buses that stop, despite there being a solid double white line, which is especially dangerous as the junction for Oulton Academy is just beyond the bus stop.
PC Groves and Oulton Academy will continue to support the campaign by local councillors to support the changes that need to be made to effectively safeguard our pupils and the local community.
If you have any information or concerns to share regarding these issues, please contact the Academy and request to speak with PC Groves:
