Children in danger as crossing unfixed in a week

The traffic lights outside Alderley Edge School for Girls have been out of operation for over a week now.

Two caretakers, wearing high vis jackets, have been operating the crossing on Wilmslow Road in the mornings and after school every day, but at other times it is unmanned.

Cllr Joseph Bergin said "While during busy collection periods there's normally two people stopping the traffic, which has worked very effectively, I have observed that outside those core hours the men with visibility jackets are not there and twice I've stopped because there's young girls trying to get across the road. People are not slowing down and it is actually quite dangerous.

"I'm slightly worried that when those guys are not there little girls are going to try and cross the road and get knocked over because people drive very fast along that particular bit and without those traffic lights the girls still try and cross where the traffic lights are. So I think it is a matter of urgency."

Sue Goff, Head teacher at AESG said "The pelican failed to work last Monday (i.e. a week ago) - as soon as we noticed it we reported it to the Council - and have been chasing it every day.

"Their inspector phoned on Friday to say that the lights have suffered a power failure, and they are waiting for the power company to sort it out. They do realise that it is a well used crossing and that our girls are in danger when they cross the road there at the moment, and will try to fix it asap. We continue to chase them every day, I can assure you!"

Mrs Goff added "In the meanwhile it is indeed our two caretakers who are trying to ensure the safety of our girls. Clearly it is a difficult one as we do not have any jurisdiction over the public highway but we could not run the risk of our girls trying to cross on their own.

"They were delighted to receive a card from one of the parents thanking them for doing this for the girls - it helped to offset the freezing cold and running the gauntlet of the cars and persuading them to stop to let our girls cross!"

A spokesperson for Cheshire East Council said "There is no supply to the lighting columns. We are going to press for the electricity company to resolve it as soon as possible."

Updated 16th March 8pm: 

A spokesperson for Electricity North West, said: "A street light and a pedestrian crossing on London Road in Alderley Edge have not been in operation due to a possible cable fault. We have been working in partnership with Cheshire East Council to restore the lights as quickly as possible and our engineers are currently on site repairing the fault.

"We would like to apologise for any inconvenience caused."

Tags:

AESG, Alderley Edge School for Girls, Sue Goff