This Is Guernsey

MOTORISTS are endangering children who walk to Forest Primary, the school has warned. Head teacher Gary Le Huray said incidents happened near the zebra crossing almost daily and he urged drivers to take more care.

‘We are aware that this is a main road with a lot of people trying to get to work, but it is a significant element of the journey for children and all we are trying to do is to raise awareness so people take more care,’ he said.

‘We don’t stop the traffic at the zebra crossing out of malice. We only want to get the children across the road safely.

‘We are asking people to be role models for the children, obey the laws of the road and help ease a major concern we have with individuals crossing the road.’

Incidents near the crossing at Route des Landes were recorded and some reported to police.

Assistant caretaker Gary Le Cheminant said he saw them first hand when helping children to cross the road.

‘One of the worst cases was when I was showing a couple of youngsters across the road and a vehicle drove straight past me while I was standing in the middle of the crossing with my hands up,’ he said.

More than half of the school’s 160 pupils walked to school in the final week of Walk to School Month, which coincided with Road Safety Week. Mr Le Huray hoped that the trend would continue.

‘We don’t expect children to have to set off at 7am in the dark to walk here. But we are suggesting that people limit car use wherever possible and that parents might consider driving their children part of the way and letting them walk the rest.’

Jessica Gallienne, 10, was dropped off near the Mallard.

‘It was quite good fun but a little boring,’ she said.

Deanna Smart, 10, walked part of the way to school, from near the junction of Route de Plaisance and Rue des Landes. It took her about 10 minutes.

‘I really enjoyed getting some fresh air because I don’t normally walk,’ she said.

As chairwoman of the Child Accident Prevention Group and health promotion manager for Health and Social Services, Yvonne Le Page said she had a double interest in the situation.

‘We are currently working with Gary towards the Forest’s revalidation for National Healthy School Standard Accreditation, which must be done every three years,’ she said.

One aspect of that was to encourage children to walk or cycle safely to school.

‘It’s a double aim of helping to prevent accidents and keeping children healthy at the same time,’ said Miss Le Page.