Girl hit by car in Warndon sparks school lollipop person

The incident happened near the Chedworth Drive and Edgeworth Close junction in Warndon, Worcester at 3.26pm on Thursday, close to Oasis Academy and St Joseph's Catholic Primary School. Both the headteacher of Oasis Academy, Suzanne Owen, and Warndon city councillor Jill Desayrah had already formally requested a crossing patrol near the school in Shap Drive which was rejected. Meanwhile, the Green Party candidate for Warndon and Elbury Park, Alex Mace, has also expressed deep concern and wished the injured girl a 'quick recovery'.CONCERN: Alex Mace, a Green Party county council candidate for Warndon and Elbury Park, has expressed his hope the injured girl makes a quick recovery after she was hit by a car in Warndon, Worcester (Image: Supplied) Neighbours also backed calls for a crossing, including Paige Price, 30, of Edgeworth Close who said her friend's cat had been run over at the same spot and a car flipped over on Chedworth Drive last year.

Miss Paige said: "I would like to see a crossing. We have two primary schools and no zebra crossing and no lollipop lady." JUNCTION: The junction of Edgeworth and Chedworth Drive in Warndon, Worcester near where a five-year-old girl was knocked down (Image: Newsquest)

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After the recent incident and other issues, Cllr Desayrah says she will now be calling for a school crossing patrol at Edgeworth Close instead. Cllr Desayrah, also a Labour county council candidate for Warndon and Elbury Park, said she would also welcome the idea of consulting on 'school streets', a scheme that would see roads temporarily closed to non-residents at peak times, reducing congestion and making it safe for children to walk or cycle. Cllr Desayrah said: "It saddens me to learn that yesterday, a child was knocked down and injured on Edgeworth Close at school leaving time.

"This road, frequently blocked by parked cars, has long been a safety concern for both children and parents. It's particularly frustrating that my recent request to the county council for a lollipop person on Shap Drive was refused. "I now restate that request, focusing on Edgeworth Close and Chedworth Drive instead.

This incident highlights the urgent need for immediate action to protect our children. No parent should have to worry about their child's safety walking to and from school. It's time for the council to step up and provide the necessary support before another accident occurs."

HURT: A five-year-old girl was hurt near this spot at the junction of Chedworth Drive and Edgeworth Close in Warndon, Worcester (Image: Newsquest) Green Party candidate for Warndon and Elbury Park, Alex Mace said: "I hope the little girl at the centre of this story make a quick recovery. "Last year I spoke at a county council meeting calling for the implementation of trial school streets in Worcester, because children doing the right thing, walking to school, should not be subject to road violence by careless drivers.

I am calling on all candidates to commit to supporting the Oasis and St Joseph's schools implementing school streets as soon as possible." A spokesperson for West Mercia Police said: "Officers were called to Chedworth Drive at around 3.20pm yesterday (Thursday) following a report of a collision between a car and pedestrian. A 5-year-old girl was taken to hospital with injuries, these were not deemed to be life-threatening or life-changing."

A spokesperson for the West Midlands Ambulance Service said: "We were called to reports of an RTC involving a car and a pedestrian on Edgeworth Close in Worcester at 3.26pm, yesterday (Thursday). "We sent an ambulance to the scene where, on arrival, crews found a girl who they treated for potentially serious injuries before conveying her to Worcestershire Royal Hospital." RECOMMENDED READING: Girl hit by car in Edgeworth Close, Warndon, Worcester[1]

RECOMMENDED READING: Update on 'illegal' camp as council takes action against travellers[2] RECOMMENDED READING: Serious crash involved 'five cars and HGV lorry' as M5 remains closed[3] Head teacher of Oasis Academy, Suzanne Owen, said there were ongoing issues in the neighbourhood around parking during drop-off and pick-up, particularly as the two schools, Oasis and St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, are so close together.

Ms Owen said the school had received support from police community support officers at peak times, describing them as 'helpful and supportive'. An application, made by the school, for a school crossing patrol in Shap Drive in Warndon or a lollipop person was rejected by Worcestershire County Council, she said. "I would like to see a crossing or lollipop person which would be ideal for supporting children to cross the road safely.

We do educate our children about road safety and we do also send out reminders and requests for parents to park legally and sensibly. Children are crossing the road on a regular basis," she said. We have approached St Joseph's Catholic Primary School for comment.

A spokesperson for Worcestershire County Council said: "Shap Drive was previously assessed for provision of a School Crossing Patrol and deemed unsuitable. The team recently advised that the situation hasn't changed. This is unrelated to Edgeworth Close as it is a different location.

"The Road Safety Education Team offers road safety education and pedestrian training to all schools in Worcestershire.

Oasis Academy have booked some sessions for later this year."

References

1. ^ RECOMMENDED READING: Girl hit by car in Edgeworth Close, Warndon, Worcester (www.worcesternews.co.uk)
2. ^ Update on 'illegal' camp as council takes action against travellers (www.worcesternews.co.uk)
3. ^ Serious crash involved 'five cars and HGV lorry' as M5 remains closed (www.worcesternews.co.uk)