An e-petition containing 552 signatories, accompanied by a paper petition containing over 500 signatures, was submitted to the Council on 1 November 2015. In accordance with the provisions of the Council’s Constitution, it was requested by the lead petitioner that the petition be reported to, and debated at, a full Council meeting.

The petition reads as follows:

‘We the undersigned petition The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead to create a safe route to school for children that live within a mile of Holyport College’

The Constitution provides for a maximum time of 30 minutes to debate such petitions; this can be overruled at the Mayor’s discretion.

In accordance with the Constitution, the order of speaking shall be as follows:

An e-petition containing 552 signatories, accompanied by a paper petition containing over 500 signatures, was submitted to the council on 1 November 2015. In accordance with the provisions of the council’s constitution, it was requested by the lead petitioner that the petition be reported to, and debated at, a full Council meeting. The petition read as follows:

‘We the undersigned petition The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead to create a safe route to school for children that live within a mile of Holyport College’

The petition was introduced by Simon Fletcher, the Strategic Director of Operations. Mr Fletcher explained that a petition had been created requesting that a safe route to Holyport College be established for children that live within a mile of the school giving them the choice to safely walk or cycle if they choose. Jane Brocklebank was the lead petitioner and he thanked her for her hard work and efforts in securing in 1,065 signatures supporting the request. Additionally, he understood that the request was supported by Bray Parish Council.

Due to the location of Holyport College a majority of access was by car or mini-bus with limited safe walking or cycle routes linking to the local area. In general terms, the Royal Borough promoted and encouraged walking and cycling to school and was supportive of creating routes which were deliverable and cost effective. Officers had reviewed the aims of the petition and undertaken an initial feasibility study which looked at creating a safe route from Holyport (to the north), from Touchen End (to the south) and from Moneyrow Green (to the east).

Whilst the principle was supported there were a number of physical constraints and issues which would make the request challenging to deliver. For example:

·         Limited land available to build a new footway

·         Drainage ditches in close proximity to the road which may require ‘filling in’ to enable the path to be built

·         Potential routes were secluded and currently unlit which may create safety and personal security issues

·         Urbanisation of a rural area

In summary, he welcomed the petition from Jane Brocklebank and, subject to support from Council, would be very happy for officers to develop potential schemes for discussion with the Lead Petitioner; Members and Bray Parish Council.

James Blunden, a 14- year old pupil at the school, spoke on behalf of the Lead Petitioner.  He stated that he spoke also as a member of the Holyport village community. Like many others, his family had been hugely excited by the new free school and he felt incredibly privileged to attend it. There was probably no safe route from the village to the school. Each morning he had to fight the rush hour traffic on a dangerous bend on the Ascot Road before crossing the road on a three-way junction on a very busy route, and the same on the return route. It was dangerous for pupils, staff and their families. He had been shocked by the figures published by the government in relation to road safety outside schools, which included between 2006-2011 that there were over half a million collisions within 500 metres of a school and 1000 child casualties a month. He wondered how many could be avoided. In addition there were  just under 2000 cyclist accidents outside schools including six deaths. Road casualties and deaths had been steadily declining despite the increase in traffic on roads. This told him that the work of councils to make roads safer was working. He thanked the council for the reduced speed limit on the Ascot Road and work elsewhere to make roads safer in the borough.  He questioned whether  the Ascot Road crossing on a dangerous bend was fit for purpose when a school was close by? Was the B3024 fit for purpose when there was no safe walking route? At the moment the school provided buses but these were not free to all and in any case many wanted to walk or cycle.  A safe route would also allow access beyond the school campus for local residents. The number of signatories showed the wider community wanted this. It was a complex issue but there were options on both the Ascot Road and the B3024. Mr Blunden referred to a letter received the day before from a local resident supporting the petition.

Councillor Coppinger stated that he and his fellow Ward Councillors were immensely proud to have the school in their ward. He was particularly interested as Vice Chair of Holyport Primary school. The issue was far wider than just access to the school; boarders were totally isolated at weekends. He asked officers to come back with a plan as soon as possible. Councillor Burbage highlighted that the Parish Council was in favour of the proposal. Councillor Walters stated the issue was worth looking at again.

Councillor Rayner explained that he had been approached about the issue by residents when he first became Lead Member for Highways and Transport in May 2015 and he had suggested a full council debate. There were many problems outside many borough schools and he had therefore requested a report be brought to Cabinet in May 2016 to address these issues. Councillor Rayner proposed the following motion:

i) The council notes the petition, and recognises the need to create and maintain safe routes to school

ii) The council notes that £80,000 of highways developer contribution funding awaits a suitable scheme

iii) The council recommends that a report be brought to Cabinet in Spring 2016 with potential options to utilise the funding and address the issues raised by the petition, including a full consultation process

Councillor Werner commented that a safer route was vital. Many schools in the borough had traffic problems, for example he was trying to get a scheme in Oaken Grove outside Furze Platt Infant and Junior Schools. He proposed a amendment to the motion to include the words ‘and outside other schools’ in the third recommendation. Councillor Beer second the proposed amendment.

Councillor Rayner explained that the council was already working with the two Furze Platt schools following a petition and consultation. The borough had 57 schools, each was unique therefore separate papers to Cabinet would be required. He therefore did not accept Councillor Werner’s proposed amendment.

Councillor Dudley explained that the funding for the scheme (£83,000) was sitting in Holyport college’s bank account from the Department for Education. As part of the original planning application and legal agreement the funding was to be applied to a mutually agreeable scheme for footpaths and highways.

Councillor E. Wilson commented that solutions needed to be found sooner rather than later as these schools were growing larger. The school in his ward also had traffic problems. If the school had funding and officers had ideas, they needed to get together and take action. He agreed with Councillor Werner that other schools had issues; once Holyport college was sorted, others should be looked at.

Councillor Burbage asked Councillor Werner if he would withdraw his amendment given the petition for debate specifically related to Holyport college. He endorsed the remarks about safer routes for other locations but the response needed to be specific. Councillor Werner agreed to withdraw the amendment given the funding was already available for a specific scheme at Holyport College, however he therefore questioned why the petition was required. Councillor Dudley explained that although the funding was available, the council was responsible for highways and therefore had to come up with an appropriate scheme.

Councillor Wilson, as Lead Member for Planning and the former Chairman of the Maidenhead Development Control Panel that agreed to the Holyport college application, highlighted that the funding formed part of the developer obligations and options should therefore should be investigated.

Councillor Bicknell stated that there were 64 schools in the borough and the council wanted every child to be able to get to school safely. One size did not fit all however as there were different problems at each. There was not enough funding to fix all problems therefore they needed to be prioritised.

Councillor Rayner explained the outline programme, subject to council approval:

·         Design options / feasibility:                  January / February 2016

·         Consultation:                                          March / April 2016

·         Cabinet Report:                                      May 2016

·         Detailed design / procurement:           June to July 2016

·         Construction:                                          Completion by end of October 2016

It was proposed by Councillor Rayner, seconded by Councillor Coppinger and:

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: That:

i) The council notes the petition, and recognises the need to create and maintain safe routes to school

ii) The council notes that £80,000 of highways developer contribution funding awaits a suitable scheme

iii) The council recommends that a report be brought to Cabinet in Spring 2016 with potential options to utilise the funding and address the issues raised by the petition, including a full consultation process