Fears speeding cars could hit Andoversford pupils

The No Crash road safety group, which was created six years ago in response to concerns raised by residents, has flagged up the road outside Andoversford Primary School.

Speed data collected by No Crash between January 27 and February 16 this year found that the 20mph signs had very little impact on motorists, with only one in 10 applying their brakes after seeing the warning.

The group recently met with the police and Gloucestershire Highways to identify particular areas of concern in Andoversford on Gloucester Road and Garrick’s Head, the Kilkenny/Foxcote crossroads on the A436 and Whiteshoots Hill on the A429.

Cllr Paul Hodgkinson, leader of the Lib Dems on Gloucestershire County Council, and chairman for No Crash said: “Residents, especially those in Andoversford are concerned about the speed of traffic travelling past Andoversford Primary School, with many children and parents walking to and from there during term time.

“Parents are concerned about their children’s safety.”

Motorists go down this road as a shortcut between the A40 and A436 with many said to ignore the 30mph speed limit.

Gloucestershire Highways is looking at suitable traffic calming measures, sharing their designs with Andoversford Parish Council and they are exploring the cost implications of the options.

The parish council is exploring the possibility of installing a number plate recognition system which tracks the speed of passing vehicles, which has proven to be effective in Bourton, where they have seen a drastic fall in speeding.

“We continue to meet regularly because of ongoing concerns.” Paul added. “At the end of the day we are there to save lives and minimise accidents.”

The group has successfully lobbied for change, such as painting double white lines to prevent overtaking on dangerous sections of the roads and installing school safety signs, which ask drives to adhere to 20mph limits at the school’s opening and closing time.