09 May 2011
From: Brake, the road safety charity, PO BOX 548, Huddersfield, HD1 2XZ
Tel: 01484 559909 Email:
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Zak the Zebra, mascot of national road safety charity Brake, is visiting Langley Vale in Surrey to back a campaign to make roads safer for children and local residents. Zak the Zebra will be showing his support to local parents, school children, and members of the community of Langley Vale, who have organised a road safety awareness afternoon on Monday 9th May. They will be calling for new road safety measures to be introduced on Beaconsfield Road.
Parents and teachers of The Vale Primary School are deeply concerned that a child could be injured or killed in their community. The school is situated on Beaconsfield Road which is a long residential access road. The road has a 30mph speed limit and parents and representatives from the school are concerned about the speed of traffic and inconsiderate parking. Local children face a daily struggle to cross the road safely to get to school.
Journalists, photographers and film crews are invited to attend:
WHERE: The Junior playground at Langley Vale Primary School, Beaconsfield Road, Langley Vale, Surrey KT18 6HP
WHEN: 3pm – 4pm, Monday 9th May 2011
WHAT: Graham Doyle, co head teacher Carrie Christer and school governor Katherine Walsh will be available for comment. Brake’s Zak the Zebra mascot will be available for photos with Graham, Katherine, school governors, Councillor Chris Frost, children and other local parents.
The campaign so far:
In September 2010 Surrey County Council re- proposed that traffic calming measures should be installed on Beaconsfield Road. It was found that there was concern for the safety of children crossing the road and so an investigation into appropriate measures to address this began. However, in January 2011 a consultation meeting between residents and the council led to the proposed build-out being cut and the pedestrian crossing rejected as access to driveway and parking would have been permanently restricted.
Following this, local parents took action. They reported concerns about children’s safety to Surrey County Council, Councillors and Brake. They suggested measures including a less intrusive crossing, school warning signs, repainting the school markings and the introduction of a 20mph speed limit.
The council conducted another investigation and with the support of County Councillor Chris Frost an extension to the funds was agreed. In mid March, Chris Frost confirmed that a crossing directly outside the school would not be possible, but an alternative location for safety measures on Beaconsfield Road may be considered. He also explained that due to funding cuts it would not be possible to introduce a 20mph speed limit. Chris Frost attended a meeting with concerned parents, school governors and the co-head teachers to discuss alternative measures which would be low impact on the surroundings and took into consideration residents’ concerns. Chris acknowledged the potential of the scheme to improve the safety of the children and ultimately reduce the amount of traffic during peak times. This would be reviewed by the Surrey County Council Highways Manager and road safety officer.
A questionnaire was then issued to both parents and teachers and nearby residents, asking for their opinion.
The feedback from parents and teachers [based on 210 questionnaires issued and 66 returned] showed that 93% welcomed the introduction of a safe school crossing outside of the school and 97% were concerned with road safety in and around the school.
The feedback from nearby residents [based on 51 being issued to nearby properties and 12 returned] showed that while 92% objected to a safe school crossing outside the school 84% are concerned with speeding drivers.
Concerned parents are campaigning on Monday 9th May to urge nearby residents and the local community to listen to their needs and help them to act now before anyone is seriously injured or killed.
Graham Doyle, concerned parent, says: “We are all deeply concerned that after 11 years we are still lacking basic road safety measures on Beaconsfield Road. Although this is a unique location we must work together to find a solution.
We have recently made positive steps in the right direction and are currently liaising with the local County Councillor to look at ways of introducing new road safety measures that will ensure the safety of the children and help to reduce the amount of peak time traffic.
The most important thing is to do something now to improve the environment for everyone before anyone is hurt or killed”.
Julie Townsend, campaigns director at Brake, said: “As a charity that supports road crash victims, we know all too well the appalling suffering caused by the death or injury of a child. We must do more to prevent these tragedies, and to enable people to walk and cycle without fear. Nationally, Brake is calling for increased Government investment in road safety, but we are also supporting communities who want to see local action now.
“It is frankly an outrage for children to be unable to walk to school without their lives being endangered. 20mph limits and crossings are crucial in protecting children on foot, and the campaigners of Langley Vale recognise this. We’re backing their calls, and appealing to the County Council and the community to act now, prioritising children’s safety and the basic right of all local residents to walk and cycle in safety.
“We’re also encouraging anyone concerned about children’s safety on roads to contact Zak the Zebra at www.zakthezebra.org and find out how Brake and Zak can help”.
Last year 4 under-18s were killed and 81 were seriously injured every week on UK roads, and the majority of these (59%) were on foot and bicycle at the time[1]. Brake works with communities to help prevent these needless casualties, and provides support to the families devastated by them.
If you’re concerned about a dangerous road, Zak the Zebra can help. Thanks to sponsorship from Balfour Beatty Plant & Fleet Services, Brake’s Zak the Zebra costume can be borrowed for a limited number of road safety campaigns. Tell Zak about your dangerous road or road safety campaign by completing our online form at www.zakthezebra.org, or calling Zak’s hotline on 08000 687780, kindly operated by Irwin Mitchell Solicitors (open 8am-8pm Monday to Friday and 9am-4pm Saturdays). You’ll get access to a free online Zak Pack full of advice on setting up a community campaign to improve road safety.
Steve Farmer, Managing Director at Balfour Beatty Plant & Fleet Services, says: “We are proud to be working with Brake to support community campaigns for safer roads. These campaigns are so important – local people fighting to prevent needless deaths and serious injuries on our roads, which devastate too many lives. By supporting Brake’s Zak the Zebra campaign mascot we hope we can help people on the front line who are campaigning to make our roads safer for everyone”.
Go to www.brake.org.uk/take-action to find out more about Brake’s campaigns to improve community road safety.
FOR MEDIA ENQUIRIES AND TO ATTEND THE LAUNCH, CONTACT EMILY MOXON ON 01484 550061 or 01484 559909 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
[1] Road Casualties Great Britain 2009, Department for Transport, 2010
