Safer Roads: Bournside School Welcomes Two New Zebra Crossings

Two new Zebra crossings are now complete and in daily use following a long proactive road safety campaign by Cheltenham Bournside School together with a team of councillors.

The Zebra crossings, strategically placed directly outside the two main pedestrian exits at the school, were designed to address the ongoing safety concerns of students, parents and the local community. Previous measures were deemed inadequate and unclear to both pedestrians and road users, causing unnecessary risk to the 1800+ students of the Bournside School, plus the students of three neighbouring schools: Belmont, Bettridge and St James' Primary School.

Mr Jefferies, Headteacher of Cheltenham Bournside School said: "I am delighted that, after a long journey, the new zebra crossings have been installed, providing our students with safer routes to and from school. The safety of our community is our top priority and these crossings allow pedestrians a clear right of way on the busy road immediately outside of the school. We are extremely grateful to our local councillors and to the team at GCC for their ongoing support and commitment to the project."

Councillor for Warden Hill, Tony Oliver, said: "It may have taken seven years campaigning to get here, but I am delighted that the crossings are finally installed so that pupils have a safe place to cross and want to thank all the parties who helped to make this happen. Now we can move on to see what else can be done to improve road safety and traffic flow around the school." 

Councillor for Leckhampton and Warden Hill, Emma Nelson, said, "This project is a great example of what collaborative working can achieve. From initial engagement with the GCC to the formation of the task team comprising key stakeholders. Thank you to GCC for facilitating the matched funding proposal in the first place to get the project off the ground and special thanks to Councillor Tony Oliver for leading the working group and persuading key stakeholders to match GCC funding, namely, Bournside School, two Local Parish Councils (Leckhampton with Warden Hill and Up Hatherley), and Cheltenham Borough Council."

Pictured L-R: Cllr Emma Nelson (Leckhampton and Warden Hill), Cllr Philip Bennett (Leckhampton and Warden Hill), Cllr Roger Whyborn (Up Hatherley), Cllr Tony (Warden Hill), Year 9 students Sam, Hadrian and Priya, and Bournside Headteacher, Steve Jefferies.