Pupils heading to school deserve to get there safely, a Wokingham Labour councillor has warned.
Earlier this autumn, Lib Dems on Wokingham town council voted against a plan to create a greenway with safe crossing points on Milton Road and Holt Lane. The route would have also taken in parts of Joel Park.
The decision means that work Wokingham borough council has already carried out on designing a planned zebra crossing for Milton Road has been wasted, according to a statement from Wokingham Labour.
A spokesperson said: “Holt Lane can feel like a country road with short footpaths. At peak times, it is crowded and parents will be dropping children off close to the school or on Milton Road.”
Norreys ward councillor Nagi Nagella wants Wokingham borough council to commit to carrying on with the safe crossing routes for Holt school pupils.
The secondary school serves nearly 1,300 students aged 11 to 18, and many of them travel to school on foot or by bicycle.
He raised the matter at a meeting of Wokingham borough council held on Thursday, November 27.
He asked: “Residents want to know what will happen to the Greenway project, in particular the pedestrian crossings on Milton Road and Holt Lane.
“They agree that these crossings are essential to protect children’s safety.
“Can you confirm that the crossings will still go ahead to ensure Holt School students can cross these busy roads safely?”
Speaking after the meeting, he pledged to keep pressure on Wokingham borough council to ensure the creation of safe crossing points for Holt school pupils approaching the school from Milton Road and Holt Lane.
He said: “Holt Lane is a narrow lane and well used by commuters and on the school run.
“Safe crossing points are well overdue, and the greenways project proposed a zebra crossing on Milton Road and Holt Lane. While the greenway through Joel Park may have been axed, the crossings are much needed and should be kept.
“Parents regularly contact me concerned about the safety of their children – Wokingham Labour has successfully campaigned for crossings elsewhere in the borough, including Wiltshire Road and Warren House Road.
“With this track record, parents can be assured we will continue to work on their behalf to get these crossings in and keep their children safe.”
