Is it safe to walk to school in Curbar along the A623?

1.25.42pm GMT Fri 10th Nov 2006

The A623 - the fifth most dangerous road in England

Parents of Stoney Middleton School expressed real anger at the public meeting in the school when it was suggested that children were expected to walk 1.4 miles to an alternative school, along the A623, one of the most dangerous roads in Derbyshire.

In the words of one prospective parent, "As a parent safety of my child is paramount. Walking along that road is not safe. It's not acceptable for our children to go along that road."

Councillor Alan Charles responded that: "We do have a criteria for dangerous routes for children walking to school and it is on the basis that they have a responsible adult with them - either a parent or another adult."

Cllr Charles continued: "Now if there is a footpath all the way and it is lit and there are crossing places - I think it unlikely it will declared a dangerous route. I live in Killamarsh and I have to tell you the traffic going along the roads in my village is a lot worse every morning. You want to see Killamarsh in the morning which is close to the motorway with lorries coming through."

"However what we will do - if we come to the situation where the proposal is going ahead - is we will do a "Dangerous Route Assessment". What this actually entails - I think it is about four of my colleagues - elected councillors -and the local member is invited come and join the local people and children to walk the route. We are very open in the way we do this. That group will make a recommendation to me - which is why I will not come personally because it will impede my decision making."

Sue Bettney pointed out that a recent traffic survey recorded 707 vehicles passing through the village along the road between 8 am and 9 am, of which 83 were huge lorries. That is an average of one lorry every 43 seconds and a car every 6 seconds.

Related Link:

A623 - AA - the fifth most dangerous raod in England.