"Danger on school run" - Lock

12.00.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Mon 18th Sep 2006

Councillor Keith Lock, Ward Member for Mortimer, has today slammed West Berkshire Council for delays in road works in Mortimer which have left children walking in the road to school.

Councillor Lock commented:

"I am disgusted to see young children having to step out into the road into the path of cars to get to school. The levels of incompetence of the Tory administration beggar belief - these works were planned for the school holidays, but hopeless delays and drift saw them start on the same day the children started back at school!"

The roadworks have affected both St Mary's Junior School and St John's Infants School, and are forcing parents and their young children to walk in the road in order to get to the schools.

Councillor Lock continued:

"The roadworks prevent parents from parking outside, so even those who usually get dropped at school are having to walk in the road. What is even more appalling is that traffic lights have been installed but are not working, and the delay in consultation over the speed limit signs means that the speed limit in this area remains 40mph when it should be 30 at the most. It is time for the Conservatives to pull their finger out and protect Mortimer's children."