Safer routes proposed for Racecourse Lane¸ Shrewsbury

Shropshire County Council is inviting people to have their say on a number of improvements to make the journey to and from Oxon CE Primary School in Shrewsbury a safer one.

Parents and pupils, as well as local residents, have raised concerns regarding the safety of pedestrians, the speed of traffic and inconsiderate parking on Racecourse Lane.

The council is proposing a range of improvements including:

• Construction of a raised ‘plateau’ at the junction of Welshpool Road and Racecourse Lane. This is aimed at slowing down traffic and providing a crossing point for pedestrians and ‘park and striders’ from The Grapes car park.
• Definition of the pavement between Welshpool Road and Pump Lane by using coloured surfacing. This is aimed at providing dedicated space for pedestrians.
• Extension of zigzag markings outside the school and new double yellow lines between the school and Lambourn Drive. These parking regulations have been included to keep this area clear of parked vehicles, making it safer for pedestrians walking in the road and for local residents trying to access properties.
• Changes to access barriers and addition of dropped kerbs between the Shelton Hospital footpath and Racecourse Lane. This footpath is well-used as a route to school, but needs these improvements to make it more visible to motorists and usable by parents with pushchairs.

John Everall, Shropshire County Council’s Cabinet member for environment and sustainability, said: “These measures have been proposed to enable pupils and parents to safely walk to school. We feel that these go a long way to addressing people’s concerns and we hope that people will get involved and have their say.”

23 June 2008