§ Mr. KeetchTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment has been made of the provision of school crossing signs or signals on the A49 to ensure safer access to Bridstow Primary School; and if he will make a statement. [99852]
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§ Mr. Hill[holding answer 26 November 1999]: I have asked the Chief Executive of the Highways Agency to write to the hon. Member.
Letter from Ginny Clarke to Mr. Paul Keetch, dated 1 December 1999:
I have been asked to reply to your question about the assessment for the provision of school crossing signs or signals on the A49 trunk road to ensure safer access to Bridstow Primary School.There are school warning signs located on the approaches to this school to alert motorists to the presence of schoolchildren but there are no signals. The Highways Agency has not undertaken an assessment for signals in this location, but Herefordshire Council, who have responsibility for deciding on the need for a crossing patrol, has advised that the school does not meet the criteria for a patrol. In these circumstances, flashing amber signals would not be appropriate.If a crossing patrol were to be operated at the school, the Highways Agency would, of course, give serious consideration to the provision of flashing amber signals.If you would like to discuss the matter further, Tom Barry, the Highways Agency's Area 9 Manager, would be pleased to help. Tom is based at the Birmingham office at Broadway, Broad Street, Birmingham B15 1BL and can contacted by telephone on 0121 678 8366.I hope this is helpful.