Head of St John Fisher calls for boost to keep speeding drivers in check (From Oxford Mail)

Head of St John Fisher calls for boost to keep speeding drivers in check

7:10am Saturday 2nd March 2013 in News By Emma Harrison, Reporter covering Rose Hill, Littlemore and Iffley. Contact me on 01865 425430

Buy this photo » Assistant head Frederique Tupper with pupils Abby Spink, Ilona Sell, Lewis Barber, Austin Wamae and Lucy Lovette in Sandy Lane West

A PRIMARY school is asking police to step up speed checks outside its gates to slow motorists down.

St John Fisher Catholic Primary School in Sandy Lane West is launching a road safety awareness campaign with pupils but is also hoping for an increased police presence on the 20mph road.

The school says it works closely with officers, but speeding along Sandy Lane West – which is also home to Oxford Academy – remains a problem.

The primary is also launching a new intiative to get more children to walk to school.

Headteacher Jude Bennett said: “Traffic comes through fairly quickly. Although we have 20mph signs, they don’t deter speeding drivers. Sandy Lane West is a cut-through to the bypass.

“We are fortunate to have a lollipop lady and we have done a number of speed checks with the police.

“It is not a problem that is going to go away easily. The road has two schools and there are lots of pedestrians and lots of bikes.

“It is important drivers are considerate and try to stick to the 20mph limit, particularly round the bend towards the school.”

She said the school has worked on getting more parking spaces at the Oxford and District Indoor Bowls Club – which allows parents to use its car park – since 2011.

Mrs Bennett said: “We set up a scheme for 20 parking spaces which to an extent means less traffic in the road and fewer parents trying to park. We have been proactive.”

Assistant head Frederique Tupper said: “We are in negotiations to get the speed checks going again, and cycle training up and running for our school.”

She said the school was also introducing a ‘Walking Wednesdays’ initiative suggested by the school council.

She said: “Each Wednesday, council will check who has walked into school and the three top classes will be given a sticker on their chart, displayed in the hall. “The class with the most stickers at the end of the term will win a prize.”

Pcso Lori Jones said Littlemore’s neighbourhood police team hoped to work with the school again by organising checks on traffic using a speed indicating device.

The last speed check the policing team conducted was on Sunday in Littlemore Road, Littlemore.

Officers clocked eight cars out of 185 breaking the 20mph speed limit between 12.15pm and 1pm. Speeding drivers were sent police warning letters.

Pcso Jones said: “We did the speed check because it is a long stretch of road.

“We have had somebody doing 52mph up there before.”