Concerns over safety outside Sherfield School in Basingstoke
Campaigners say that concerns stem from the lack of proper safety measures, such as traffic lights and barriers, that have left pedestrians, especially children, at risk while crossing the road.
The road, called "one of the most dangerous in Hampshire", has witnessed two fatal incidents in the past year.
A man in his 60s died in a two-vehicle crash on A33 just outside the school on September 21, 2022. Later on February 15, this year, a van driver in 50s died in a crash down the road.
Following the fatal incidents and call from parents for more safety measures, Hampshire County Council has now decided to review the current signs and road markings along the route.
Alex Underwood, a parent who regularly uses the route to drop off his child at the school, has been highlighting the alarming safety issues present in the area to MPs and councillors.
Mr Underwood, who is a person with a disability, emphasises the need for improvements to ensure the safety of parents, children, and pedestrians.
“A child will be killed. It's not if, it's when," he said.
"The traffic lights at the bottom of the hill are useless. There are no traffic lights at the top of the hill to cross the road from Sherfield to the school. You cross from the path to the central reservation until a car will stop for you to continue.
“The path is too close to the road with no barriers. Trucks are forced to make a choice - either hit a car or move to the pavement."
Borough councillor Chris Tomblin, in his email to Mr Underwood, acknowledged the compromised accessibility of the school area and advocated for a one-way system to address road safety concerns.
However, parents like Mr Underwood believe that this approach may not effectively address the needs of pedestrians, particularly children, who require safe crossing points.
SEE ALSO: ULEZ: New buses to connect Basingstoke to Heathrow airport[2]
Sarah Bloomfield, another concerned resident, highlighted the dangerous nature of the road.
"With 11 car occupants killed in Hampshire a year, according to 2021 data, 18 per cent of car crash deaths in Hampshire occur on this road. Or one in 10 deaths if we look at it per calendar year.
A map showing the dangerous road outside Sherfield School near Basingstoke. (Image: Google Maps)
"There have also been a number of non-fatal collisions outside the school. Despite constant emails and incidents, this issue has not been taken seriously by those that can make a change.
"We would like the speed limit to be lowered to 30mph; a suitable school pedestrian crossing introduced, with lights; and install a barrier between the A33 and the path.”
A county council spokesperson said: “All fatal collisions on our maintained roads are investigated by the county council working with the police.
"Site visits were held following the recent fatal collisions on the section of the A33 near the school. The circumstances of the incidents and the long-term injury accident record were fully assessed.
"Following the investigations, the county council’s traffic and safety team have agreed to review the current signs and road markings along the route.”
References
- ^ A33 crash: Man in 50s dies in collision near Sherfield-on-Loddon (www.basingstokegazette.co.uk)
- ^ ULEZ: New buses to connect Basingstoke to Heathrow airport (www.basingstokegazette.co.uk)