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Colton Primary: New bus route a danger, says headteacher
A headteacher fears for her pupils' safety following the routing of a bus past Colton Primary.
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Helen Johnson and governors at Colton Primary have appealed without success to First Bus to re-route the No 18 away from narrow School Lane.
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Failing a rerouting, the school has asked that First Bus changes its schedules to avoid pupil peak periods. So far this has also failed.
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When cars are parked legally and not on the zig-zag markings outside the school, buses still have difficulty manoeuvring safely.
Mrs Johnson said: "Sooner or later a child will be killed or seriously injured on this road."
The service was first routed down School Lane in February. School site manager Gary Batley said its previous route was confined to Selby Road.
The issue was raised at a recent Halton Forum meeting attended by representatives of Metro and First Bus.
The school's re-routing request was backed by other residents, said Mrs Johnson.
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The First Bus official offered to carry out a passenger survey, she said.
The school, which has 250 pupils, did not qualify for a formal crossing point said Mrs Johnson. She added: "We try to encourage pupils and their parents to walk to and from school and a large proportion do so now.
"But it is concerning when buses are struggling to pass pavements on this narrow lane."
A First spokesman said: "We have some sympathy with the school at present but the issue of traffic management is one they need to consider very seriously.
"If buses are struggling to get down the roads near the school then this will also be a very serious issue for the emergency services in the event of a serious incident.
"The local authorities need to be clear on the issues and make out a plan that is satisfactory to all."
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Weather for Leeds
Tuesday 22 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 9 C to 23 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: North
Tomorrow
Sunny spells
Temperature: 11 C to 22 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: North east
