A MOTHER whose daughter was run over outside a school has won her campaign for a zebra crossing after Bradford Council pledged to spend thousands on the scheme.
Last November, Kayleigh Maud's daughter Amber James, 11, was hit by a car on Reevy Road West near Buttershaw Business & Enterprise College.
The Year 7 pupil sustained injuries to her head and hips but, thankfully, was able to leave hospital that night.
The incident prompted Kayleigh to start a petition calling for action to prevent this from happening again.
Last week, Bradford Council’s Bradford South Area Committee approved funding for the zebra crossing to be put in place on the busy road, and it is expected to be installed by spring.
The committee has an annual budget of £170,000 to fund road safety measures in the constituency.
The zebra crossing, which is one of six schemes being funded by the panel this year, is expected to cost £40,000 and be ready by April 2023.
Reacting to the news, Kayleigh said: "I am absolutely chuffed.
"Throughout the process, I have been in touch with Royds Ward Councillor Angela Tate, she has been my port of call who has kept me updated.
"I got an email on Friday saying funding has been approved and it should be in place by the end of the financial year.
"It feels like it has been a long wait. To say I am over the moon is an understatement. I am so pleased."
Referring to the fact that a zebra crossing was needed near one of the district’s biggest schools, Chair Councillor Dave Green (Lab, Wibsey), said it was “ludicrous” that road safety measures are not included as part of school developments.
He pointed out that the committee had a limited budget, and if proper road safety measures were already included in school plans, the money the Council spent providing these measures could be spent on other road schemes.
Cllr Green said: “Who decided it was a good idea to build a school without any road crossings?
“If we’re going to build new schools in the future, part of that work has to be including road safety schemes.
“You’d think that when schools are built they would think young people are going to need safety measures.”
Kayleigh was struck with fear when she first heard the news of the accident on November 11.
“It has been the most harrowing time,” she said.
“I genuinely thought she was going to die.
“She was absolutely battered. She had a huge bump on her head. Her face was cut and she had bruises all over."
Kayleigh thought it was important for the crossing to be in place for not only Amber's safety but for other children in the future.
She added: "Since I have let them know it is happening, everybody is just so pleased.
"I have had parents saying they feel happy knowing their children are starting in September and going to be safe now. You don’t realise how much it affects other people.
"Just to know this is going to happen, it is going to help other children for years to come.
"It wasn’t just about making sure my daughters were safe it was about the future. It is going to help thousands of children over the years. I just feel really proud."
A Bradford Council spokesperson said: “After a collision injuring 11-year-old Amber James last year and a resident petition on the issue, local councillors requested an existing scheme be brought forward to prevent similar incidents from happening again.
“Although monies for projects are very tight, the Bradford South Area Committee agreed to fund a new zebra crossing for Reevy Road West in July.
“This will make it safer and easier for pedestrians to cross in the future.
“We expect this will be in place by April 2023.
“In the meantime, our road safety team and partners including the police are working with the local school to raise student awareness and skills, and improve driver behaviour in the area.”
Other projects getting funding include traffic calming on Farfield Avenue/Wibsey Park Avenue (£45,000) and Moore Avenue (£45,000).
Constituency-wide schemes include implementing a number of traffic regulation orders (£13,000) and mobility access works (£20,000).
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel