Concerns have been raised about dangerous parking and heavy traffic in the hopes of making school journeys safer for pupils in Crowthorne.
Councillor Tina Eberle (Liberal Democrats, Crowthorne) has taken footage showing cars queuing and being parked in an obstructive manner.
Her evidence shows drivers queuing to get into Hurst Lodge independent school, in the shadow of Broadmoor Hospital, and dashcam footage showing eight cars parked near a priority give way sign in Upper Broadmoor Road.
Bracknell Forest Council resolved to provide safe routes for pupils to get to school in a motion passed in November 2023.
But cllr Eberle questioned what action has been taken since then at the last full council meeting.
She said: “This council passed the motion, which requested that the executive member for highways and transport work with officers in consultation with local headteachers to explore options for making further improvements to road safety for pupils on their journey to and from school, including implementing 20 mph speed limits on roads adjacent to schools where needed.
“In Crowthorne, there has recently been an increase in reports of dangerous parking and driving around the Hurst Lodge School at The Woodlands Upper Broadmoor Road Crowthorne and adjacent roads, which impacts also on foot and bicycle school routes for other Crowthorne schools, such as Edgbarrow, Wildmoor Heath and Crowthorne Church of England Primary, as well as the Morgan Recreational Ground.”
The question was directed to cllr Guy Gillbe, (Labour, Easthampstead & Wildridings) cabinet member for planning, transport and countryside.
Cllr Eberle asked: “Can you provide an update on efforts to improve road safety around borough schools, both generally and specifically with regard to actions following the November 2023 motion?”
In a written answer, cllr Gillbe explained that progress is being made on the council’s ‘Safer Routes to School’ schemes.
A total of £400,000 has been dedicated to the schemes in the current year’s Highways and Transport Capital Programme
The beneficiaries are the Edgbarrow secondary in Grant Road, Crowthorne, Easthampstead Park secondary in Ringmead, Warfield CofE primary in Sopwith Road, Woodhurst Park, and Binfield CofE primary in Benetfeld Road.
Cllr Gillbe wrote: “Our data-led approach continues as we identify where additional measures could and should be delivered in future programme years.
“In late Autumn, I will again be reviewing the output of this work with officers as the next batch of emerging schemes are prepared in readiness.
“Once again, as more detail emerges on these proposals I look forward to seeking input from local headteachers and the key stakeholders.”
The written answer was given as cllr Gillbe was not in attendance for the meeting on Wednesday, September 10.
