Witham: Headteacher calls for schools to be gritting priority

12:40pm Saturday 26th January 2013 in News

Witham: Headteacher calls for schools to be gritting priority Witham: Headteacher calls for schools to be gritting priority

A headteacher has called for gritting schools to be a top priority.

Wendy Walker, who runs Chipping Hill Primary School in Owers Road, Witham, believes that schools should come second only to ambulance routes and fire stations when the county council is deciding where to grit.

Many parents have to drive to the school after the school moved from Church Street in January last year.

The road has remained icy following the weekend’s snow and there have been reports of cars slipping sideways.

Mrs Walker, who has written to Essex County Council about the problem, said: “They say schools are not a priority, which is very frustrating because the county council want us to be open yet they don’t help us to be open.

“I am very worried about the road.

“I agree that anything to do with ambulance or fire stations must be an absolute priority but why aren’t schools the next priority?”

She added that it would take just a few seconds to divert the gritter from the nearest main road.

Parent Ricky March, who has two children at the school, said: “It is absolutely lethal.

“A lot of the parents are really getting concerned.”

Comments (3)

1:32pm Sat 26 Jan 13

effie_x says...

About time they prioritise for schools and dangerous roads.

Parents try and get in and just slide down the road, I know children are resilient if they fall over but it isn't exactly the point is it? They tell old people to stay in their homes but it is an absolute disgrace if schools are shut?

I absolutely love how Braintree Council always have their car park gritted and cleared to perfection at 7am every morning. Yet the road next to it St Peters is STILL an ice rink, never gritted. The slope coming down from St Peters to the main road is pretty much a death trap, just slide straight onto Bocking End.

I went to Maldon the other morning and the men gritting were doing the pavements in the centre which I think is fantastic, they did that before they even did Maldon Council Building. Just better priorities.

Also Greenfields should be gritting the pavements of there residences that are occupied by the old or disabled or simply cannot do it themselves.

Simply I think gritting isn't prioritised right and places that don't get gritted such as the suburbs or private roads. Yet I do think people should stop moaning apply for a grit box and just do the pavement and road outside their homes. Fed up of having to do so much on my road just because I want it a safer place.
About time they prioritise for schools and dangerous roads. Parents try and get in and just slide down the road, I know children are resilient if they fall over but it isn't exactly the point is it? They tell old people to stay in their homes but it is an absolute disgrace if schools are shut? I absolutely love how Braintree Council always have their car park gritted and cleared to perfection at 7am every morning. Yet the road next to it St Peters is STILL an ice rink, never gritted. The slope coming down from St Peters to the main road is pretty much a death trap, just slide straight onto Bocking End. I went to Maldon the other morning and the men gritting were doing the pavements in the centre which I think is fantastic, they did that before they even did Maldon Council Building. Just better priorities. Also Greenfields should be gritting the pavements of there residences that are occupied by the old or disabled or simply cannot do it themselves. Simply I think gritting isn't prioritised right and places that don't get gritted such as the suburbs or private roads. Yet I do think people should stop moaning apply for a grit box and just do the pavement and road outside their homes. Fed up of having to do so much on my road just because I want it a safer place. effie_x

8:41pm Sat 26 Jan 13

Rose77 says...

As much as I appreciate the danger of ice covered roads and pavements, this tends to only last for a few days at worst. As a local resident I am much more concerned about the sheer number of cars and vans parked on the pavements of Holst Avenue and Hawkes Road, causing many children and their parents to walk in the road due to the obstruction caused by these vehicles, the majority of which belong to the residents as many would rather use their garages for storing garden tools and 'stuff' than use it to store their vehicles. I wonder what the chances will be of double yellow lines being installed...
As much as I appreciate the danger of ice covered roads and pavements, this tends to only last for a few days at worst. As a local resident I am much more concerned about the sheer number of cars and vans parked on the pavements of Holst Avenue and Hawkes Road, causing many children and their parents to walk in the road due to the obstruction caused by these vehicles, the majority of which belong to the residents as many would rather use their garages for storing garden tools and 'stuff' than use it to store their vehicles. I wonder what the chances will be of double yellow lines being installed... Rose77

8:27am Sun 27 Jan 13

OMPITA [UK] says...

What an incredible stroke of luck that you managed to get a picture of the Headmistress just at the very moment she slipped onto her derriere.

A real life action shot if ever there was one!

Well done B&W T .
What an incredible stroke of luck that you managed to get a picture of the Headmistress just at the very moment she slipped onto her derriere. A real life action shot if ever there was one! Well done B&W T . OMPITA [UK]

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