School pupils challenge council chief to improve 'dangerous' pedestrian hazards (Norfolk County Council Liberal Democrats)

Norfolk County Council Liberal Democrats <info@norfolkcclibdems.org.uk>

School pupils challenge council chief to improve 'dangerous' pedestrian hazards

July 8, 2008 12:00 AM

Lib Dem leader Paul Morse is working with local pupils to address pedestrian hazards in North Walsham

Students from a Norfolk high school will meet with a County Council director this week to discuss a number of dangerous pedestrian hazards they have identified in their local town and the difficulties faced by wheelchair users in the area.

Members of North Walsham High School Council undertook a survey in December last year of seven pedestrian routes between residential areas in North Walsham and the town centre. Using a wheelchair to test ease of access for those with disabilities, the students identified a number of hazards for pedestrians that they considered could be dangerous. A report that they have produced based on the exercise results suggests that they consider 43% of the pavements surveyed as being 'appalling' or 'bad'.

This week the school council group will present the findings to Director for Planning and Transportation at Norfolk County Council, Mike Jackson, in the hope that they can be used by the Council to inform its local footway improvement programmes. The students will be accompanied by North Walsham county councillor, Paul Morse, who worked with them on the survey, and who is a governor at the school. During the visit they will also be finding out more about how the Council works and local democracy.

Sisters Peggy and Molly Baldwin, who were part of the school council group which compiled the report, said:

"It is much more difficult to get around North Walsham on foot than we imagined and the situation is particularly challenging for those in wheelchairs. We hope the County Council will take some action as a result of our findings."

Cllr Paul Morse said:

"I was so impressed with the desire of these young people to do something for the community that would improve the lives of others. They've worked really hard on this project and drawn some sensible conclusions, which could really make a difference to local people. The County Council is always expressing its desire to engage with young people and I hope that it will take on board the School Council's comments and use them to guide its planning for future improvements in the town."