A dad urged Liverpool Council to make changes to all schools to improve road safety for children.
Hugh Sheridan said while he was pleased the local authority had resolved to upgrade provisions near to Gilmour Infants and Junior schools in Garston, he hoped the city council would implement similar improvements across Liverpool. Mr Sheridan was “angry and frustrated” that efforts had not yet been made to make crossing safer outside his son Jacob’s school after a near miss in October.
Mr Sheridan said he feared that following the tragic death of Charlie Lowe, 10, in Walton earlier this week, more children could die if measures were not improved. In response, Liverpool Council said it had identified a series of works it could implement in a two phased approach in South Liverpool from this Spring.
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Mr Sheridan said: “I am very pleased, as will many parents be, in both Gilmour infants and junior school at the proposed changes. However, it is sad that it has to come after such sad news last week and one week before a local election.”
In an email to Mufu Durowoju, Liverpool Council interim divisional manager for highways, seen by the LDRS, Mr Sheridan pushed for a change of emphasis from the city. He said: “I must urge you and the commissioner to prioritise work at all schools across Liverpool.
“Since covid there has been a noticeable shift in attitudes and behaviours in terms of drivers and their parking - it may be down to lack of policing and penalties but there is a noticeable change. The only way we can change behaviour is to stop it happening in the first place - education won’t work with an arrogant driver.”
The Garston parent said the council should make clear to schools what they can do for temporary measures to prevent problem parking. He added: “We have been lucky at Gilmour that there have been no injuries this year, I hope that there won’t be in the next four weeks as we wait for works to begin.”
In an email of his own, Mr Durowoju, interim divisional manager for highways, previously said Liverpool Council “takes the matter of road safety seriously” and subject to funding, will aim to expedite the installation of road safety measures to protect its citizens. Mr Durowoju apologised for the delay in undertaking previously identified measures, putting this down to lack of resources in the team.
The officer wrote how the installation of wooden bollards, pedestrian guardrails and school warning signs had all been identified, alongside the painting of a 90m single yellow line and 80m double yellow lines. Additionally, the first phase of work would include three no waiting signs and a street lighting column.
Mr Durowoju said a second phase could lead to the introduction of a one-way system. A quote has been received for the work from Liverpool Streetscene Limited but the officer said no date could be identified for work to be completed owing to a delay on delivery of guardrails.
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