PRIMARY pupils going home at the end of the day are being put "in danger" by vehicles on a 60mph country lane outside the school gate, it is claimed.

Kellie Johnson wants the speed limit on the road between Stoke St Mary, where she lives, and Thurlbear Primary School halved.

Mrs Johnson, whose children do not attend the school, said neighbours have complained about vehicle speeds for years.

She added: "Lots of motorists travel at speeds that are totally inappropriate for a narrow country lane with many bends.

"There's debris off the fields, grit and mud on the road. People may be driving within the limit, but it's inappropriate for the road conditions.

"I've seen several near misses and we're often forced to move over to avoid other drivers hitting our wing mirror.

"I'm waiting for the day I get hit pulling out of my driveway - each time I do it, I'm taking my life in my hands.

"We want a 30mph limit here."

Stoke St Mary parish councillor Mike Baddeley said the main problem is "aggressive driving" by motorists using the road as a rat run to avoid the A358.

He added: "At 8.40am you'll have in excess of 100 cars going to Thurlbear School and then coming back again shortly afterwards and again at 3pm."

Thurlbear head teacher Heather Barraclough said the speed limit is "an issue", but added it is a matter for Somerset County Council.

She said: "We've contacted the council about it before.

"We're a school that has a 60mph zone outside and County Hall is aware of that. I can't control what happens on a highway.

"We've done our utmost as a school to ask our parents to slow down because it's a school and we do everything we can to keep our children safe."

A parent, who asked not to be named, said: "It's ridiculous that people can drive past a primary school at 60mph - it puts children in danger.

"The school and parents can teach children road safety messages, but some of them are very young and won't fully appreciate the dangers."

A council spokesman said there are criteria for setting 30mph limits, including at least 20 houses fronting the road at an average density of three per 100metres.


Somerset County Gazette: Car overturned on road near Thurlbear Primary School, SomersetCar overturned on road near Thurlbear Primary School, Somerset

  • A car overturned on the road in icy conditions recently

He added: "The guidance is clear that speed limits should be evidence led, self-explaining and reinforce people’s assessment of what is a safe speed to travel.

"Thurlbear doesn't meet these criteria, but we'd advise motorists to drive according to the road conditions and surrounding environment.

"Often 30mph is clearly too fast for these narrow lanes.

"We do make improvements where a need is identified, and if anyone has any concern about a highways issue then we'd encourage them to visit www.trafficchoices.co.uk/somerset to see what options may be available.”

  • A traffic survey in the area revealed:

Haydon Road, Haydon – Data shows that there was an average of 400 vehicles per hour that were travelling at a speed above the police guidelines for prosecution with the highest numbers occurring between 7am and 10am and again from 3pm to 5pm.

Stoke Road, Stoke St Mary – here there was an average of 20 vehicles per hour travelling in excess of the ACPO guidelines for prosecution between 8am and 6pm.

Stoke Road, Henlade –  On average there were 200 vehicles per hour in excess of the ACPO guidelines between 7am and 6pm. In the hour around 8am and again at 3pm in excess of 300 vecles were travelling above the ACPO criteria.