Calls for safety review of two Emmer Green school roads

Issues include vehicles mounting pavements, motorists reversing into driveways, and cyclists being forced onto footways, while schoolchildren struggle to cross the road.

Dr Nishikant Gupta, a parent and Lib Dem campaigner in Emmer Green, highlighted problems on both Lowfield Road near Micklands Primary School and Grove Road near Emmer Green Primary School.

He said Lowfield Road, where pupils cross to take the path by the cemetery to get to school, has become less safe since markings around the crossing were changed.

Although it still has ‘Slow’ signs, it no longer has a large red section painted on the road.

The crossing at Lowfield Road in 2022, with its red strip. (Image: Google)

The crossing at Lowfield Road today, with no red strip. (Image: Dr Nish Gupta)

Lowfield Road was resurfaced in September 2023, at which point Reading Borough Council (RBC) upgraded the road markings and signage.

“The red safety strip helped drivers slow down,” said Dr Gupta.

“Children have to be very careful here now, because cars don’t stop. It’s very dangerous.

“Kids are left standing at the edge of a busy road, hoping drivers notice them.”

A council spokesperson said that coloured surfacing “can limit future adjustments” to the road and are also “more costly to maintain.”

“Safety assessment reviews are based on casualty data, and at this time, there is no evidenced pedestrian road safety issue along Lowfield Road,” the spokesperson said.

“According to police-supplied casualty data, Lowfield Road has an excellent record.

The spokesperson added: “We would always advise road users to follow Highway Code guidance and exercise caution around school environments.”

Grove Road has different problems. Dr Gupta said he has been contacted by several residents about it – and described the stories he heard as “worrying.”

He said residents described some of the driver behaviour as “completely unnecessary and unsafe”, impacting buses attempting to use the road.

Residents say buses can struggle to pass other vehicles due to the narrowness of the road and parked vehicles.

Other reported issues include drivers overtaking despite oncoming traffic, vehicles mounting pavements or parking on them, motorists reversing into driveways to allow other traffic through, and cyclists being forced onto footways.

Grove Road traffic issues in motion. (Image: Dr Nish Gupta)

As Dr Gupta believes that neither Lowfield Road nor Grove Road are safe to cross as they currently are, he would like to see zebra crossings installed at both.

However, RBC says “there are no current plans for additional crossings” at either.

Speaking about Grove Road, the RBC spokesperson said:

“The council is always concerned about reports of poor driver behaviour around school pick up and drop off times, which is an issue nationally and not just in Reading.

“We have reviewed police-supplied casualty data on Grove Road. There was a casualty dating back four years, but it otherwise has an excellent safety record.

“The council will continue to monitor casualty data, but at this time there are no current plans for additional crossings.

“We would always advise motorists to exercise caution when driving around school environments and parents dropping or picking up children to give themselves plenty of time if they have no option but to drive.”