MOTHERS with small children are driving to school because they are afraid of being hit by a car whilst walking along the pavement

Charlotte Newton

MOTHERS with small children are driving to school because they are afraid of being hit by a car whilst walking along the pavement.

Parents with children at St Mary's Infants School in Church Lane, Hornsey, have stopped walking under the railway bridge with their children because they are frightened of being hit by a speeding car on the narrow, low pavement.

Whilst some adults are "taking the long route" around the station and down the steps of the railway bridge, other parents - who have buggies and small children, are being forced to drive to avoid the traffic-congested underpass.

Margaret Jones is a management consultant who works from her home in Turnpike Lane, Hornsey. Pointing at the bridge, Ms Jones said: "This could be our route to school but we've stopped using it because it's so noisy, dark and dank. If it was brighter or the pavement was higher and wider I may consider walking along it with my five-year-old son."

Charlotte Friis walks her son Conrad to school every day from their home in Alexandra Palace Road. Ms Friis, who worked in the City until she had Conrad, said: "I was walking along the pavement with Conrad when a lorry with a crane strapped on the back came hurtling down the hill and crashed into the bridge. The straps which were holding the crane in place flew off but the driver didn't notice and continued to drive at speed with a wobbly crane on the back. I thought it was going to fall off and crush us.

"Walking along this road to school is frightening because there is a dual carriageway, narrow footpath and the cars come hammering past. Cyclists often use the pavement too because they are too afraid of cycling on the road. I can understand why parents are are driving their children to school."

Dennis Murphy, site manager of St Mary's School said: "This road is very dangerous because it suddenly narrows into a bus lane without any forewarning. The council should move it further up the road.

"There are also no road signs indicating that there is zebra crossing and a car crashed into the railings there last year.

"The bridge needs sound-proofing and to be made lighter. It's dark during the day time, never mind at night."

Cllr Brian Haley met with parents on Tuesday morning to discuss the problem. Mr Haley said: "I've arranged another meeting with parents and the headteacher to try to reach a consensus on how best to resolve this problem. I will then take the solution back to the council officers and find out if we have the capability and budget to deal with it."

broadway@hamhigh.co.uk