Traffic outside West Jesmond Primary School

The head of West Jesmond Primary School has told JesmondLocal that he fears “a child will be knocked down and killed on their way to school” if nothing is done to alleviate the current traffic situation outside the school.

Gary Wallis-Clarke, head of West Jesmond Primary School (WJPS), located on Tankerville Terrace, told JesmondLocal that budget cuts in Newcastle City Council have meant that “the situation is now more dangerous than ever.” Two crossing guards once patrolled the school, yet both of these have now been removed and a second school bus route was also cancelled, changes that Wallis-Clarke deems “very bad decisions”.

He said that within the council “there is limited funding available and a lack of willingness to do anything substantial due to resident objections.” Wallis-Clarke also added that a reconsideration of the current road system needed to be addressed, yet if any change were to be made “strong, brave councillors” would be required to drive this through.

Though there have been minor changes made to the traffic system outside the school, such as the introduction of double yellow lines, Wallis-Clarke says they urgently need the creation off a safe drop-off zone and the re-instatement of the crossing patrol. Jesmond housing is based on a Victorian design and thus the school resides in an area whereby many roads intersect; Wallis-Clarke said “the crossing at the junction of Tankerville Terrace and Brentwood Avenue is one of the most dangerous in the city”.

Sally, a parent of a pupil at WJPS further voiced her concern to JesmondLocal. She said “I wish our councillors in North Jesmond cared so much about the dangerous and congested roads next to our schools in Jesmond…[Last] term there [was] a crash outside and an incident where a lorry reversed into the railings at the zebra crossing”.

In response, North Jesmond councillor Gerry Keating tallied up the vehicles outside the school during the morning ‘drop-off’ period. He said that traffic engineers would deem 316 vehicles during rush hour “a very low total”. He further noted that the driving outside the school “was impeccable” and “that were no problems at the zebra crossings”. He added that he did not see any supervisory school staff outside the school, yet “in truth they were not needed” with only five or six children using the bus service, and only “21 vehicles dropping children off”.

Cllr Keating did however admit, that his tally could be deemed “an underestimation” as he was unable to view the traffic numbers entering from the southern part of the approach.