Nerrols Primary School, Taunton, set for road safety improvements

Staff and parents from Nerrols Primary School, which opened in September 2019, have been campaigning for new measures to be put into place after several incidents of drivers going too fast along Nerrols Drive.

They spoke with their local representative, councillor Giuseppe Fraschini, about having some changes made.

Cllr Giuseppe Fraschini approached the highways department at Somerset County Council, which surveyed the road last week and agreed that steps were needed.

Cllr Fraschini says he has now been given assurances by the council that it has committed to installing new railings, extra signage and considering options to set up a variable speed limit during school drop off and pick up using a ‘wig-wag’ system.

Cllr Fraschini said: “After speaking to the headteacher and parents in November I raised their concerns with the relevant people and was pleased that they agreed to review the road near the school.

“Highways officers inspected the area at the beginning of January and confirmed that additional measures were required in order to address the concerns being raised.

“While a date hasn’t yet been set for the installation, I am hopeful that it will be within the next few months as it has been green lighted and the council is aware of the urgency of the measures.”

Nerrols Primary School, which is part of the Richard Huish Trust, currently has 39 pupils in reception,Year 1 and Year 2 but will eventually grow to 420 as each year’s intake is added.

Headteacher, Rhian Locker, said: “We are really grateful to Cllr Fraschini for raising this on our behalf.

“Several parents spoke to me about the speed cars come along that road and we are aware that there are several potential hazards for small children and families crossing the road.

“I am glad the council has listened and look forward to seeing the new measures in place very soon, as the safety of our children should always be paramount.”