Dad's fears for children's safety because of school traffic

An anxious father-of-two has spoken of his concern for the safety of his two daughters due to traffic outside St Peter’s School in Burnham.

Alan Hancox, of Taplow Common Road, made an impassioned plea for help to Burnham Parish Council at its last full council meeting on Monday, October 21.

He said he could not stand by any more and risk the safety of his two daughters, seven-year-old Keira, and five-year-old Olivia.

A boy in Keira’s class was knocked over outside the school last year.

“I’m afraid there could be another serious accident,” he said

“We need to do something about it.”

The parish council expressed its desire to help find a solution to the problem.

The school has encouraged parking away from the school, worked with police and promoted walk-to-school days after seeking advice from Bucks County Council

However, Minniecroft Road remains busy during peak hours.

The school is also trying to draw up an exclusion zone but a suitable parking area in the village has been difficult to find.

There is only one route in and out of the street, causing a bottleneck, cars mounting the pavement, crashes and arguments between drivers.

Vehicles used to be able to drive through Minniecroft Road and out via the High Street.

The school hopes to find a way to allow this once again.

"I can't think of any other way around it," said headteacher, Lesley Blount.

"It’s a recipe for disaster.

"There are so many children, families and elderly people; there’s going to be an accident one day."

She added children were keen to walk and cycle to school but parents were reluctant to let them because of village traffic.

The school will support a petition, launched last week by county councillor Dev Dhillon (Con, Cliveden), to introduce a 20mph speed across the centre of the village.

Cllr Dhillon hopes a reduced limit will keep pedestrians safer.

Residents can sign the petition online here.