A MEETING involving relevant parties in regards to the safety around a school crossing in Fairford resulted in some “welcome steps forward.”

Following a public meeting in October where the Leafield Road, which is used by pupils of Fairford Pre-School, Fairford Primary School and Farmor’s School, was discussed, Fairford councillor Chris Roberts called another smaller meeting on November 12 to include the relevant officers and officials.

Cllr Roberts said: “After several years of trying to get something done at the crossing, I feel we have made some welcome small steps forward. Albeit there is still a long way to go.

“The problems at the school crossing are varied and there is no one single solution to improve congestion, parking and safety at the site.”

At the follow-up meeting, held at Fairford Primary School, it was agreed for investigations to begin into a voluntary 20 mile per hour limit to be introduced at peak times as part of a School Safety Zone with appropriate flashing lights and signage.

Cllr Roberts said the town’s Community Speed Watch team, who have a speed gun, would also be asked to monitor the area and report speeding vehicles.

However, she believes that speed is not the only problem effecting the crossing, something she put across in the meeting.

“With many cars parked along Leafield Road at peak times, reducing the road to a single carriageway,” she said, “congestion and traffic flow are also a problem.”

Parents are to play a key part with the possibility of forming a working group in conjunction with the Gloucestershire Road Safety partnership, in which the existing Travel Plan will be revisited.

Andre Bovington, Road Safety Partnership officer, who attended the meeting, said: “The Road Safety Partnership have offered to work closely with local people to raise awareness about crossing Leafield Road in Fairford during the busy start and end of the school day.

“We have also offered to support a bigger initiative to encourage more walking and cycling to the schools, particularly from the town centre. “

The introduction of a bus to take pupils living at RAF Fairford to and from school, in order to reduce traffic movement, is also to be enquired about.

While, on suggestion of Gloucestershire Highways Partnership, an initial feasibility study is also to be proposed and funding applied for to introduce physical measures to make the crossing safer for pedestrians, which could be in place in a year’s time.

Cllr Roberts said: “The clock is ticking when there could be a potentially nasty accident involving a child. We need to move fast to get something done and find a solution because time is running out.”

She urged those using the road during peak times to introduce their own voluntary 20 mile per hour limit to help ease the situation until permanent solutions are made.