| Holway Road
Safety Action Group |
We believe that the Highways Department has a
responsibility to improve pedestrian safety on Holway Road, Sheringham, as the current
situation poses a serious danger, particularly to children and their families, on their
way to and from school. Our main concerns are:
The 30-mph speed limit is not enforced efficiently and many drivers fail to observe it.
There are no speed warning lights, speed cameras or even speed limit signs to remind
drivers to slow down. There are also no "SCHOOL" warning signs to indicate to
drivers that they should be especially cautious in this area. The road carries an enormous
volume of traffic, including buses and industrial vehicles, which are in close proximity
to pedestrians, due to the narrowness of the pavements. The existence of overgrown hedges,
in places, reduces the size of the pathway still further. Visibility is poor, as the road
twists such that possible crossing places are few and far between.
The majority of parents and children cross at the top of the road, where the traffic can
be seen clearly, and there is a cut through to the school. However, they have to wait for
unacceptable periods of time, in order to gauge the traffic, and make a dash for the other
side. This is the way to teach the principles of road safety to young children! Traffic
congestion, around the school buildings, presents a further hazard, which cannot be
remedied if parents are afraid to allow their children to walk to school.
There have been a number of serious accidents, on this road in recent years, and we feel
that the community has a duty to do something about these obvious dangers to protect
pedestrians, especially children. We feel that the installation of a pedestrian crossing,
at the top of the hill, is absolutely essential, to allow people to cross in safety.
Traffic calming measures, such as chicanes/speed humps and adequate signing are also
necessary to reduce the current danger.
We have collected 200 signatures, in the space of a week, in support of a pedestrian
crossing, which demonstrates the strength of concern and anxiety over this matter. We all
hope that the situation can be remedied, as soon as possible, for the safety of the
hundreds of people using the Holway Road on a daily basis.
Holway Road Safety Action Group has been formed, by a group of parents, concerned about
this very dangerous road and the current lack of safety measures. We are campaigning for a
pedestrian crossing, traffic calming and signs, to indicate to drivers, that there is a
school nearby. We have already collected 200 signatures in support of this initiative but
need many more to emphasise the strength of community concern. Please sign the petition
and give any other support you can to this campaign. Contact Stuart (824833) or Rosie
(822461) for further details. |
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Do you have any information on the date and other details of the construction of Seaview
Cottages. Also why the end cottage seems only partly finished. Thank you. Alan Brudney.
alan.brudney@virgin.net. If you don't have access to email, write to the paper and we will
pass it on.
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KIDZ CORNER
Okay, all you children aged 1 - 12 years, this column is for you. Enter the
competition(s) and you may win a prize. |
What is this? Do you know? Then Tell us. |
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| National Campaign
for Firework Safety |
Never give sparklers to a child under 5 they will not
understand how to use them safely. Always supervise children using sparklers. Sparklers,
like other fireworks, must be used with care. They can get 6 times as hot as a pan of
cooking oil and sparkler injuries have been on the increase. It makes sense to keep
sparklers in safe hands. Never hold a baby or child if you have a sparkler in your hand.
Plunge finished sparklers hot end down into a bucket of water as soon as they have burnt
out. They can stay hot for a long time. Don't take sparklers to public displays. It will
be too crowded to use them safely. Give children gloves to wear when holding sparklers.
Avoid dressing children in loose or flowing clothes - they may catch light. Show children
how to hold sparklers - away from their body and at arms length. Teach children not to
wave sparklers near anyone else or run while holding them. If you are having a bonfire,
make sure that the fire is away from fences, garden, sheds, and properties. Never let your
children near the fire and try to cordon off the area. Never light the fire using
flammable liquids such as petrol and paraffin. Consider the wind direction and other
properties nearby such as thatched roofs etc. Keep a bucket of water or a garden hose
handy. Never leave a bonfire unattended. Make sure there are no aerosols that may explode
in the fire. Make sure the fire is extinguished before going back indoors. Try to go to an
organised display in your area. Have a safe and happy night. Last year over 1362 people
required hospital treatment from acidents involving fireworks. At family back-garden
displays, sparklers cause more injuries than air-bombs, bangers, rockets and roman candles
combined. Half of all firework accidents happen to children under the age of 16. More than
60 under 5s went to hospital in 1997 following a firework accident. Three sparklers
burning together generate the same heat as a blow-torch. Hands and eyes are most at risk
from accidents. |
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Why is it always bodily functions which embarrass? I had chronic wind and as I got off the
bus I passed wind at every step, but tried desperately to look as if it wasn't me. My
lovely daughter almost shouted, Mummy you're doing your trumpeting again!
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