Campaigning girls call for streetlamp to make footpath safer

5:00pm Friday 8th March 2013 in News Photograph of the Author By Andrew Ffrench, covering Didcot and Wallingford. Call me on 01865 425425

Didcot Girls School pupils Lauren Aldridge, Jessie Morrison, Eleanor Peers, Paige McConville and Izzie Cheshire on the path Buy this photo » Didcot Girls School pupils Lauren Aldridge, Jessie Morrison, Eleanor Peers, Paige McConville and Izzie Cheshire on the path

PUPILS from Didcot Girls’ School have highlighted the dangers of walking and cycling on an unlit footpath on the edge of town.

They are following in the footsteps of pupils who previously have campaigned for their citizenship projects for pedestrian crossings near the Manor Crescent school.

Now the latest group of girls is fighting for a new streetlamp on a path between Didcot and East Hagbourne.

Headteacher Rachael Warwick said: “The work the girls do on these citizenship projects ties in with David Cameron’s ideas about the Big Society. Increasingly they are choosing campaigns that affect the community.

“They meet local politicians and are genuinely successful with a lot of what they are trying to achieve.”

Izzie Cheshire, 15, of Didcot, said: “The path stretches for 1km from Didcot into East Hagbourne and at the moment there is no street lighting. This means it is pitch black at night, especially during the winter.

“We started this campaign because we felt travelling along the path in the dark is extremely hazardous for the many people in the community who use it, because they could trip over, be hit by a cyclist, or even be attacked.

“It is especially dangerous for the many young schoolchildren who walk to and from school along the track.

“We think there should be a streetlamp at the crossroads so there is a lit route from Harwood Road into Green Close.”

The pupils have launched a Facebook page called Implementing street lamps in East Hagbourne.

Other girls taking part are Lauren Aldridge, 14, from Milton, Jessie Morrison, 14, from Rowstock, Eleanor Peers, 14, from Didcot, and Paige McConville, 14, from East Hagbourne.

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Patrick Greene, the county councillor for the Moreton division who met the girls last week to discuss their campaign, said he thought the girls’ suggestion for new lighting was “sensible”.

He added that several new solar lamps could be required but said no funding for the project was available before the new financial year begins next month.

He estimated a new street lamp could cost about £1,000.

Oxfordshire County Council refused to comment on the girls’ campaign.

Last year, plans were finalised for two new crossings near the school after more than £40,000 of funding was agreed by county councillors.

Pupils helped to campaign for the Wantage Road zebra crossing to become traffic light-controlled, and about £10,000 has been allocated, while about £30,000 is to be spent on a new crossing in Foxhall Road.

Work has started on improvements at the Wantage Road crossing and is expected to start later this month in Foxhall Road.

Comments (8)

7:12pm Fri 8 Mar 13

Dilligaf2010 says...

"This means it is pitch black at night, especially during the winter.....
......It is especially dangerous for the many young schoolchildren who walk to and from school along the track....

......What is wrong with this statement?
"This means it is pitch black at night, especially during the winter..... ......It is especially dangerous for the many young schoolchildren who walk to and from school along the track.... ......What is wrong with this statement? Dilligaf2010

6:27pm Sat 9 Mar 13

Anonymousdgs says...

It's dark later into the mornings as well in the winter, and if children have after school clubs until 4.30pm, by the time they walk home it will be dark.
It's dark later into the mornings as well in the winter, and if children have after school clubs until 4.30pm, by the time they walk home it will be dark. Anonymousdgs

7:51pm Sun 10 Mar 13

CliveDunn says...

The biggest danger on this path which is part of cycle route 44, is inconsiderate dog walkers letting their dog or in many cases dogs off the lead and not bringing them under control as cyclists approach. This not to mention the dog mess that is often left.
The biggest danger on this path which is part of cycle route 44, is inconsiderate dog walkers letting their dog or in many cases dogs off the lead and not bringing them under control as cyclists approach. This not to mention the dog mess that is often left. CliveDunn

8:27pm Sun 10 Mar 13

The Truth Really Hurts says...

To the above two who's comment by Dilly flew right over their head. It IS usually pitch black at night 24/7.
To the above two who's comment by Dilly flew right over their head. It IS usually pitch black at night 24/7. The Truth Really Hurts

7:20am Mon 11 Mar 13

livid99 says...

The Truth Really Hurts wrote:
To the above two who's comment by Dilly flew right over their head. It IS usually pitch black at night 24/7.
So what ? These are some schoolgirls trying to do something positive and all you want to do is criticise an unintentional error in what she says ?
Presumably you people here pointing out these things have never made a single mistake in your lives ?
[quote][p][bold]The Truth Really Hurts[/bold] wrote: To the above two who's comment by Dilly flew right over their head. It IS usually pitch black at night 24/7.[/p][/quote]So what ? These are some schoolgirls trying to do something positive and all you want to do is criticise an unintentional error in what she says ? Presumably you people here pointing out these things have never made a single mistake in your lives ? livid99

4:59pm Mon 11 Mar 13

Anonymousdgs says...

The Truth Really Hurts wrote:
To the above two who's comment by Dilly flew right over their head. It IS usually pitch black at night 24/7.
When they say 'it is pitch black at night' they are referring to the cycle path as 'it', not issuing a general statement about the night.
[quote][p][bold]The Truth Really Hurts[/bold] wrote: To the above two who's comment by Dilly flew right over their head. It IS usually pitch black at night 24/7.[/p][/quote]When they say 'it is pitch black at night' they are referring to the cycle path as 'it', not issuing a general statement about the night. Anonymousdgs

10:16pm Mon 11 Mar 13

Wedge says...

CliveDunn wrote:
The biggest danger on this path which is part of cycle route 44, is inconsiderate dog walkers letting their dog or in many cases dogs off the lead and not bringing them under control as cyclists approach. This not to mention the dog mess that is often left.
I think you will find that the path in question is not part of the "Sustrans 44" route, it just crosses it at one point. The path in the picture is a footpath which requires cyclists to walk not ride (not that they do). Regarding the use of Route 44, users are well advised to read the Code of Practice issued by Sustrans appertaining to its use, ie walkers, horse riders and persons in electric aids, have no rules, however cyclists have and MUST give other users a wide birth, use their bell, not cycle at high speed and slow down and be prepared to stop if necessary. I'm a cyclist and I am disappointed at the attitude of some cyclists. I agree that better lighting is required between Green road and Harwood Road but not encroaching on Route 44 or Mowbray field. Good luck girls.
[quote][p][bold]CliveDunn[/bold] wrote: The biggest danger on this path which is part of cycle route 44, is inconsiderate dog walkers letting their dog or in many cases dogs off the lead and not bringing them under control as cyclists approach. This not to mention the dog mess that is often left.[/p][/quote]I think you will find that the path in question is not part of the "Sustrans 44" route, it just crosses it at one point. The path in the picture is a footpath which requires cyclists to walk not ride (not that they do). Regarding the use of Route 44, users are well advised to read the Code of Practice issued by Sustrans appertaining to its use, ie walkers, horse riders and persons in electric aids, have no rules, however cyclists have and MUST give other users a wide birth, use their bell, not cycle at high speed and slow down and be prepared to stop if necessary. I'm a cyclist and I am disappointed at the attitude of some cyclists. I agree that better lighting is required between Green road and Harwood Road but not encroaching on Route 44 or Mowbray field. Good luck girls. Wedge

9:56pm Wed 13 Mar 13

Oxon_Tech says...

Wedge is correct that there is a code of conduct for the use of all of the Sustrans routes, however, there is no requirement for cyclists to be prepared to stop. However common sense would dictate you do everything possible to avoid an incident, including reducing speed etc. I myself travel on this route and always ring my bell when approaching pedestrians, dog walkers etc. The majority of people indicate they are aware of my presence, bring their dog under control, and for this I thank them as I pass (at a reduced speed). A small number of people either ignore your warnings or put them and their animal(s) at risk or in a few isolated cases react with hostility to a cyclist on a cycle route. Another danger is people in dark clothing walking dark coloured dogs...off the lead in the dark! Pure lunacy!.
Wedge is correct that there is a code of conduct for the use of all of the Sustrans routes, however, there is no requirement for cyclists to be prepared to stop. However common sense would dictate you do everything possible to avoid an incident, including reducing speed etc. I myself travel on this route and always ring my bell when approaching pedestrians, dog walkers etc. The majority of people indicate they are aware of my presence, bring their dog under control, and for this I thank them as I pass (at a reduced speed). A small number of people either ignore your warnings or put them and their animal(s) at risk or in a few isolated cases react with hostility to a cyclist on a cycle route. Another danger is people in dark clothing walking dark coloured dogs...off the lead in the dark! Pure lunacy!. Oxon_Tech

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