Campaign for safer crossing for local children
30th May
After more near miss incidents parents are still campaigning for a safer crossing for their children.

Punnetts Town Community Primary School and Nursery are on Battle Road (B2096) and the car park, health centre and play park are opposite. The hall serves the local community and is often very busy with groups using the facilities such as age concern and the local toddler group. The field is used for village events, physical education for the children and sports days.
“Though the school itself is a safe and flourishing educational environment for our children, the road outside is a high risk to pupils, those using the medical centre and the village hall. This is a campaign that has spanned over ten years and Huw Merriman has been involved in raising its profile in previous years. He stated that it was frustrating that despite everyone’s best efforts there continues to be no plan for a safer school crossing,” Charlotte added.
There have now been two petitions, the first in 2014 and then the second in May this year. The campaign for a crossing now spans 10 years and many parents past and present have been fighting.
Campaigner Charlotte Goldsmith explains: “There has been a recent protest involving road safety and truck’s featured in the Heathfield News and BBC South East. This is on the same road and now road works further increase the risk to our children.
“The speed checks have recently caught people travelling at 70mph. It is a 30mph limit, but this isn’t enforced daily. Only an occasional speed check can take place.”
A petition was presented on the 7th of May with local Councillor Bob Bowdler County Councillor for the Wealden East Division. There were two chairmen present – outgoing chairman Cllr Peter Pragnall and incoming chairman Cllr Roy Galley.

Charlotte added: “There have been many near miss incidents including my five-year-old daughter who wanted to run across to see her friend while I attended to her twin sister. Everyone is very cautious, but accidents do happen. The car came two inches from her nose and skidded to a halt.
“The lollypop team have also been at risk of near miss incidents, often narrowly missing a casualty and people have been seen trying to overtake cars that have stopped for children, driving then straight towards the children crossing. This has happened on several occasions. The lolly pop team are voluntary, but Sue and John can only cover the mornings and no one has come forward to cover after school. They are at risk too.”
Charlotte went on to say that a lot of heavy lorries, tractors, trailers and machinery travel through this road. The layby blocks vision from the car park side and drivers cannot see children until its too late.
The Department of transport state that 82% of casualties to children occur between 7.30-8.59 in the morning and 2.30 and 3.45 in the afternoon.
On the 24th of May a group of concerned parents and their children aged from two to 11 years old, school governors, Councillors Greg Collins and Bob Bowdler and local MP Huw Merriman met opposite Punnetts Town Community Primary School in support of the campaign for a school crossing.