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Lansdowne primary in Sittingbourne could have a second entrance with parking restrictions outside the school

11:00, 17 September 2014

Parking restrictions could be installed outside a Sittingbourne school following concerns over child safety.

Members of Swale’s Joint Transportation Board agreed to push for double yellow lines on roads around Lansdowne primary.

The Gladstone Drive school is set to double in size in the coming years, generating more traffic.

Lansdowne Primary School
Lansdowne Primary School

Annette Jordan, who lives near the site and spoke in the public session before the meeting, said the area had become very busy at school drop-off and pick-up times, and cars parking on corners had made it very dangerous.

She said there had been a few accidents on nearby roads, including one at the end of the summer term involving a youngster.

“The next accident might be the death of a child,” she said. “Cars travel at some speed through the estate.

“There most certainly needs to be a second entrance into the school, although this may not be for some time so something needs to be done in the interim.”

Cllr Andrew Bowles
Cllr Andrew Bowles

Cllr Andrew Bowles (Con) told the meeting: “The school is going to be increased, and access and parking and safety of the children going into the school is already atrocious.

“We all know there’s a problem.”

At a previous meeting he said a “three-pronged” approach to tackling the problems had been agreed.

This included introducing a school walking-bus scheme, a second access from the proposed Stones Farm development in Bapchild, and further double yellow lines – particularly on the apex of bends on roads around the school.

A motion to push for a second entrance and install double yellow lines was passed.

The access issue will be dealt with by Swale council’s planning committee, while Kent Highways will look into the yellow lines.

A Lansdowne spokesman said the school had “no control” over what decision the council came to regarding roads outside the school.

The meeting also discussed the Northern Relief Road. See page 14 for special report

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