The Chairman welcomed Surinder Gill to the meeting and informed her that she had five minutes to present and discuss her petition for enhanced road safety measures outside Eton End School, along Eton Road, Datchet.

Surinder Gill informed Cabinet that she had started the petition in October 2016 and that it had taken the Council over one year to take it seriously.  Risks had been identified, such as excessive speeds along Eton Road, and these had been passed to the Council.  Surinder Gill went through the risks:

·         Risks 1,2,3 and 15 would be reduced by changing the timings of the 20mph speed limit flashing lights in line with school pick up and drop off times.

·         Risks 5 and 12 – new flashing lights close to the school required.

·         Risks 6,13 and 16 would benefit from 30mph markings on the road.

·         Risk 7 requires additional railings along the pavement to prevent children from running onto the road.

·         Risk 8 – it was appreciated that the Council had installed one set of railings but extra railings would reduce the risk.

·         Risk 9, there had been speeds recorded at 91.5 mph therefore speed humps were requested.  They supported the recent recommendation by the Highways and Transport O&S Panel to install a raised panel on the road.

·         Risk 10, uniform training and insurance to be provided by the Council for a school crossing patroller.  She wished to see the Council’s public liability insurance so they could start recruitment.

·         Risk 11, it was felt that a zebra crossing would provide additional safety for children crossing the road, however they would compromise with different coloured road surface as suggested by the scrutiny panel.

·         Risk 14, would like to see the yellow lines along Castle Avenue extended.

·         Risk 17, reduce the speed limit from 40mph to 30mph at Eton Road.

Cabinet were informed that the school currently distributed letters regarding safe parking and erected banners to prevent illegal parking.  A drop off zone had been considered but this was too expensive.  If the Council introduced the raised table and other safety measures than parent would use the car park provided by the school.  It was felt that a private school should receive the same safety measures as a state maintained school.

The Chairman thanked Surinder Gill for all the hard work put into the petition. And subsequent risk report.

The Lead Member for Environmental Services thanked the school for all their efforts around road safety for children getting to and from school.  It had been agreed that the crossing patroller would be covered by the Council’s insurance and he agreed with scrutiny’s recommendation of installing a raised platform.  Introducing a zebra crossing in this location would be contrary to the Department for Transport safety guidelines, but other safety measure had been recommended.  It was planned to start the work during May and June 2018.

The report responding to the petition contained a range of proposed traffic safety measures and if accepted by Cabinet the addition of a raised platform and the extension of the 30mph zone.

Councillor Beer informed Cabinet that his son used to live in the area and that he himself often used the local roads.  Traffic speeds were too high and he supported the extension of the 30mph zone.  He suggested better use of the church’s facilities for parking if the pathway was cleared and widened.  The Chairman agreed that although not part of the recommendation the Council would look to see if it was feasible to widen the pavement. 

Resolved unanimously: that Cabinet notes the petition and the responding report and endorses the:

      I.        Council’s approach to comply with the Department for Transport’s safety guidelines.

    II.        School’s commitment to securing a school crossing patroller.

   III.        Further highway improvements to a cost of £20,000 and the extension of the 30mph zone.