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Two mothers are campaigning for a zebra crossing outside their children's school after two pupils were hit by cars in the first week of term. Rebecca Curtis and Esther McCarthy have gathered over 100 signatures on a petition, which they presented to councillors, demanding the installation of a zebra crossing or other "adequate road safety measures". Ms Curtis told councillors: "Our petition is signed by over 100 local residents and calls for Torfaen Borough Council to reconsider and reassess the need for a zebra crossing after the incidents that occurred in the first week of the school term. "Two children were involved in road incidents by Blaenavon school." A nine year old boy needed hospital treatment after being hit by a car on Middle Coedcae Road in September, and parents reported it was the second such incident on the same day. Blaenavon Heritage School, which is located on the road, has two entrances. Ms Curtis said: "They do not provide safe access due to the speed of vehicles, inappropriate parking such as on double yellow lines, over residents driveways and using the Arthur Jenkins care home as a car park." She added that due to the volume of traffic and inappropriate parking, children "just aren't being seen". The nursery entrance is in use between school opening and closing times, and she stated that the 20 mile per hour limit also doesn't eliminate the risk. "Children of this age have no concept of road safety and are at a higher risk of being struck by cars and even at 20 miles per hour because of their height and position the cars will strike them and their fragility, developing anatomy." She highlighted that the other access is also used after school hours for the multi-use games area and stated: "As the winter nights draw in, visibility is reduced and there is just no safe place to cross the road." Ms Curtis emphasised that a safe access for children and parents is "essential" and added: "If we are going to promote health and wellbeing and walking to school then no child should feel anxious about walking to school." The full council agreed to accept the petition and it will be forwarded to the cabinet member responsible for a response.
