CHANGES will be made to the road outside a school after a mum claimed the area was ‘dangerous’ for pupils.
Julie Woodward from Bracknell takes her daughter to the nursery in LVS Ascot by bicycle twice a week.
The mother lodged a complaint in September against the school over concerns of safety for cyclists heading to and from the school.
She claims the entrance to the school on the A329 London Road is “dangerous” as drivers are not “looking for pedestrians, cyclists or runners” despite visible cycle path signs as you exit the school.
The mum also claims the bike trailer carrying her daughter was hit by a car due to the safety issues.
Ms Woodward said: “Luckily my daughter didn’t sustain any serious injury, but she could have been killed. He could have killed both of my children. Ironically he works in the transport department for the school. The driver of the car claims I didn’t give way, but I had given way and I was almost right across the junction which is why he hit the chariot behind me and not me.
“This is a popular cycle path with cyclists and children. I am very disappointed that a school in our neighbourhood doesn’t feel keeping children who use their shared exits and entrances safe, is their responsibility, they were not even concerned enough to call us to see if my daughter was ok, until we highlighted it.
“It makes me question how seriously does this school take its other safe-guarding responsibilities?”
However, LVS Ascot refuted the claims and said they take the safety of cyclists and pedestrians within the school community ‘very seriously’.
A spokesperson said: “The safety of pedestrians, cyclists and other road users leaving, entering or passing the school is something that we take very seriously.
“We are pleased that no one was injured and have carried out an investigation into the incident, including a review of the CCTV, which shows that the cyclist did not stop at the give way signs on the path.
“We have also brought the matter to the attention of Bracknell Forest Council. We have asked them to consider whether additional measures would be appropriate to improve safety at this junction.
“The Council, despite the excellent road safety record outside the school gates since its improvement in 2017, has proposed additional road markings on the cycle path to encourage users to be vigilant and look both ways as they approach the exit, which we fully support.”
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