A Great Barr school has scooped an award for improving road safety for pupils, parents and the community.
St Margaret’s CE Primary school has been presented with the Roland Vernon award – presented by the Sandwell Road Safety Organisation in memory of their former chairman.
The award recognises the work the school has done with Sandwell Council’s road safety team to reduce the speed of vehicles on the A34 Birmingham Road and to encourage pupils, parents and pedestrians to always use the subway and safe crossing places when crossing this very busy road.
Sandwell Council’s cabinet member for sustainable transport Councillor Jackie Taylor said: “The school takes road safety really seriously and it’s fantastic that this has been recognised with an award.
“The children have carried out speed checks outside their school and they’ve designed some wonderful signs and banners to get their messages across.
“The council has also installed a speed activated sign which flashes up a vehicle’s registration number when the speed limit is exceeded. The staff hold assemblies and remind parents and carers about safe parking, speed limits and crossing safely in their school newsletters. All of this is making a real difference.”
Councillor Taylor is also encouraging people to use public transport, walk or cycle wherever they can, especially on journeys to and from school.
Mr Vernon served as Chairman of the Sandwell Road Safety Organisation for over ten years and when he passed away, the award was introduced in honour of his long standing contribution to road safety and law and order.
Headteacher Jayne Stackhouse said “It is a pleasure and a privilege to receive the Roland Vernon Award for our work on road safety. We worked closely with Sandwell Council’s Road Safety Team to try to make a difference for pedestrians and motorists on the A34 outside our school and we are proud of our achievements.”
Tony Fowler, of the Sandwell Road Safety Organisation, added: “ We are pleased that this award is again being passed to schools which have achieved significant improvements to road safety in their local area.”
