Changes in pipeline to improve safety on busy Royston road

Changes are still in the pipeline to improve safety on a busy Royston street which serves two schools.

As reported in the Crow in January, a feasibility study was carried out on Garden Walk which looked at ways to make it safer for pedestrians.

Suggestions for the road include introducing pinch points, double yellow lines or speed humps.

Meridian School and Greneway School are both situated in Garden Walk, and residents in the area had raised concerns about speeding and dangerous parking near the schools.

Royston’s county councillor Fiona Hill said: “We’re waiting for the go-ahead from Hertfordshire County Council’s highways department as to what action will be taken, but the funding is there in the Highways Locality Budget.

“We’re also still pushing to get a crossing patrol put in place on Garden Walk. The post was advertised earlier in the year and I believe there has been some interest.”

The new term got underway last week, and police have issued a warning to parents about the dangers of parking illegally outside schools.

Inspector Phil Bloor, from the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Road Policing Unit, said: “The area outside school entrances must be kept clear to allow an unrestricted view for approaching drivers and riders or children wanting to cross the road. Road markings are there for a reason and drivers must not wait, park or stop to set down or pick up passengers on school entrance markings.”

Parents are also being asked not to park inconsiderately and in a way which will inconvenience residents, other road users or in a way that obstructs the road.

Insp Bloor added: “We want parents and children to get to and from school safely. Parents should be prepared to park a little further away from schools to avoid parking in places which will cause danger to children and to other road users.”