Youngsters at a secondary school have put their fellow pupils’ protection on the curriculum by campaigning for better road safety control near three schools in Leamore
(l-r) Sophie Pegg, Cllr Lee Jeavons Chole Jones and Abbie Roberts on Leamore Lane where in the last two years four children from local schools have injured in road traffic collisions.
Sophie Pegg, Chole Jones and Abbie Roberts of the Mirus Academy are trying to reduce traffic accidents as part of the GCSE citizenship studies, after four children were injured in car accidents.
The 14 year-olds have launched an online petition and are lobbying Walsall council to get to improved road safety along a half mile stretch of Leamore Lane between Willenhall Lane and Bloxwich Lane .
The route connects Mirus Academy primary phase, Mary Elliot Special School for the disabled and Mirus Academy Secondary phase.
The girls hope they can get a pelican crossing installed and metal barriers installed at the two junctions and along Leamore Lane , to prevent cars mounting the pavements and to stop children rushing out into the road.
Abbie Roberts said they choose to campaign for road safety after a number of accidents where pupils were injured: “According to the police, in the last two years there have been four accidents involving pupils along Leamore Lane, and that doesn’t include near misses.”
Chole Jones, added that Mirus Academy secondary school site had 1300 pupils alone : “It’s very import that we have safe roads particularly when pupils are arriving in the morning and leaving in the afternoons.
Sophie Pegg explained the girls wanted the local community and parents to get behind their campaign by signing the online petition at http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/the-mirus-academy-road-safety-campaign/
She said: “We hope to get as many people to support us in trying to get something done because there are too many accidents here.”
The publicly spirited girls are being supported by local councillor Lee Jeavons who said he would help as much as he can.
“I think it’s wonderful that these girls have chosen to do something about this, not only because it’s great to see young people caring about their community but also because they have raised a very important issue.”
“I’m supporting the girls’ campaign and as a first step I will contact council officials to see what we can do to improve road safety in this area.”
Mirus’ Principle , Jacqui Grace, added: “The safety of our children and young people is very important to us both in and on the way to and from the academy. Our pupils are very community spirited and are proactive in local projects. This is one example of a group of our pupils campaigning about local issues for the benefit of the whole community.”