Car smash highlights Shropshire school's safety fears
A Shropshire school is calling for action after a three-car pile-up outside its gates that acted as a "wake-up call" about the danger to children on the 60mph road.
Headteacher Les Ball said the crash, which happened at about 3.30pm just as children were leaving school, could have been fatal if it happened just a split second later.
Norbury Primary School is believed to be the only one in Shropshire on a 60mph road.
While there are flashing lights outside the school, one slow-down sign was not working on the day and the road remains officially national speed limit regardless.
Mr Ball said: "The accident happened when one moving vehicle hit two stationary ones and there was significant damage to two of the vehicles.
"The main thing was that nobody was hurt. But a split second later and there could have been a fatality, it was that serious. It was a wake-up call for everyone really."
He said traffic-calming had been discussed in recent years, but the crash made it clear what had been put in place so far was not enough.
"In fairness Shropshire Council has been listening to us and it has responded to what we have asked for," Mr Ball said.
"But we're certainly one of the few schools in Shropshire, if not the only one, that is on a national speed limit road.
"It's very unusual for a school, if it was in a residential area it would be 20mph.
"Being a rural school there are no footpaths, so if we want to walk the children somewhere it's a major undertaking – we have all the children in high-vis vests and all the staff looking out for traffic.
"It is a 60mph speed limit, the flashing sign is purely advisory – in fact it doesn't really slow the traffic down that much."
He added: "It should be 30mph at the most. I would welcome any support we could get to lower the speed limit past the school."
Charlotte Barnes, Shropshire Council member for Bishops Castle, said more action is needed following last week's crash, adding: "I had flashing 'slow down' signs put in some time ago but this is clearly insufficient.
"I persuaded officers from the Highways Department to come out here for a site visit within 24 hours of the crash.
"We need to drive home the message that this a school and people need to take care when driving past."
