Brightwell Road speed limit a concern for Bucklesham school

Concerns have been raised over the 60mph speed limit which goes past Bucklesham Primary School <i>(Image: Newsquest/Houses of Parliament)</i>
Concerns have been raised over the 60mph speed limit which goes past Bucklesham Primary School (Image: Newsquest/Houses of Parliament)
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Renewed concerns are being voiced over the speed limit on a road near a primary school which parents and teachers fear is an "accident waiting to happen".

A 60mph speed limit is currently in force in Bucklesham's Brightwell Road, which goes past Bucklesham Primary School.

The speed limit has been in place for a number of years, with Bucklesham Parish Council campaigning to get it reduced around the school to make it safer for children, parents, staff and other motorists.

Rachael Rudge, headteacher at the primary school, said: "One of my main priorities is to safeguard children and keep them safe.

Bucklesham Primary School has raised concerns over the speed limitBucklesham Primary School has raised concerns over the speed limit (Image: Newsquest)

"I am concerned that there is a 60mph limit past the school because children of parents park along that road and children walk along it to get to their cars.

"It's not the same at other primary schools in the country, most have a 20mph speed limit.

"Children are unpredictable and regularly parents raise concerns about vehicles that go past the school.

"People just need to be aware that there is a school here - even if the limit doesn't get reduced, they need to be aware because anything could happen."

The national speed limit sign right outside the school gatesThe national speed limit sign right outside the school gates (Image: Newsquest)

Gemma Marriage, a parish councillor and parent of a student who goes to the school, shares the concerns.

She said: "It's just so dangerous. There isn't enough parking, which isn't the school's fault, it's just where the school is, but it means everyone parks on the side of the road.

"There are two entrances to the school, one from the main road going into the village, which is a 30, but the other is on Brightwell Road, which is a 60.

Parish councillor and parent of a child at Bucklesham Primary School, Gemma MarriageGemma Marriage, parish councillor and parent of a child at Bucklesham Primary School (Image: Newsquest)

"I choose not to park on that road because it is too dangerous for me to do so.

"The problem is nothing will be done until an accident happens and we don't want any accidents. Does it take a child to be run over for highways to do something?

"The road is a rat run and it's also next to a lot of agricultural land so you have tractors and trailers driving on the road all the time. It's a recipe for disaster."

For a number of years, Bucklesham Parish Council has campaigned to get the speed limit reduced around the area of the school.

The national speed limit signs on Brightwell Road just as you exit BrightwellThe national speed limit signs on Brightwell Road just as you exit Brightwell (Image: Google Maps)

Last year, a traffic survey was carried out which was put forward to Suffolk Highways but due to it not being considered that the side entrance in Brightwell Road is a school entrance, nothing could be done.

Ms Marriage added: "We're only trying to campaign for the safety of people. We are not trying to slow people down on their journeys but at the end of the day it could be a life or death situation.

"We just need people at highways to listen to us."

A spokesperson for Bucklesham Parish Council added: "The A12 road where they have built new houses, that's a 50mph even though it is a dual carriageway.

Concerns have been raised by Bucklesham Parish Council and Bucklesham Primary SchoolConcerns have been raised by Bucklesham Parish Council and Bucklesham Primary School (Image: Newsquest)

"A small road which goes right past a school is a 60mph speed limit.

"We have campaigned for ages to get something done but because there have been no major accidents or fatalities, nothing has been done. We are trying to act before anything like that happens.

"We have had near misses, parents' toes being run over by cars. We've done all we can, sent reports to highways, had a traffic survey done, gone to our previous MP (Therese Coffey) for help. In this last year, it felt we were getting somewhere, but highways came back and said no."

Suffolk Highways said: "The local county councillor requested a speed limit reduction last year on the section of Brightwell Road known as The Heath.

"A report was considered by the Speed Limit panel but was rejected as the rural nature of the road does not meet the speed limit policy criteria.

"The entrance to the school is on Main Road, Bucklesham - which has a 30mph speed limit."

Suffolk Coastal MP Jenny Riddell-CarpenterSuffolk Coastal MP Jenny Riddell-Carpenter (Image: House of Commons/Laurie Noble)

Jenny Riddell-Carpenter, MP for Suffolk Coastal, said: "The road’s current speed limit is clearly unsuitable, and I share the concerns of the children and families who are regularly crossing the road.

"The safety of children should undoubtedly be the top priority, and it’s critical that the local authority supports the school’s efforts to improve safety, and act swiftly."

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