MP highlights Clanfield Junior School road safety concerns

Meon Valley MP George Hollingbery has met with experts, councillors and the police to discuss road safety measures outside a school in Clanfield over fears for pupils' safety.

The headteacher of Clanfield Junior School Mark Pickering is so concerned about the traffic outside the gates he has been forced to become a lollypop man to make sure pupils are safe on the bend in the road.

The school in Little Hyden Lane now has a crossing patrol but Mr Pickering has filled in when there have been vacancies over the last few months.

George met with road a safety official from Hampshire County Council, members of the parish council, the police and the district council to look the problem.

"I was concerned to hear that Mr Pickering had to become a lollypop man because he was so worried about the safety of his children," said George. "This is very commendable but perhaps not the best use of his time and skills, so this problems needs to be addressed.

"He even told me that one pupil was forced to phone the school because he could not get across and several others have been worried about crossing, so this is clearly a serious issue.

"The road outside is on a bend and is very busy, but it was clear from the meeting that everyone wants to do something to make it safer.

"It seems the way forward could be the installation of speed humps with contributions from several authorities to make sure funding is not a problem."

"I will be monitoring progress on the issue."