Families take safer walk to school thanks to new Alton Road zebra crossing

Primary school children at Heathmere have enjoyed a safer route to school this summer after a new crossing point and School Street were put in by Wandsworth Council.

We listened to local families who were concerned about children safely reaching the school gate during busy periods of traffic on Alton Road, SW15.

A petition signed by more than 150 people asked for better safety measures and a new formal road crossing where previously there was just an informal crossing with no markings near the junction with Hyacinth Road.

Councillor Jenny Yates, Wandsworth Council's cabinet member for Transport, said: "We want to do everything we can to improve local streets and this includes making sure that children can get to and from school safely. As part of a decade of renewal we're tackling the neglect of local roads and pavements across the borough, as this is an important step in helping to increase safety and neighbourhood pride for residents of all ages." 

Miss Beatrice Burston, Deputy Head Teacher at Heathmere Primary School, said: "I have had many parents come up to me to tell me how much safer their child's journey to school is now we have the new crossing and school street in place. The reduction in cars using the street has meant our children can travel to school safely and calmly, without having to worry about the dangers of sharing the road to school with vehicles."

These local improvements will help all pedestrians safely cross the busy Alton Road, which runs between the A306 Roehampton Lane and the A3 Kingston Road. 

Find out more about Wandsworth's decade of renewal plan for roads and pavements