James Cracknell launches Hillingdon’s latest road safety initiative

Hillingdon initiative launch

107 new CCTV cameras have been switched on at schools across Hillingdon under an initiative designed to monitor motorists’ behaviour and keep children safe as they travel to and from school.

Installed over the summer holidays by Hillingdon Council, the cameras were officially launched at Dr Triplett’s Primary School on 29 September by a delegation including LRSC president James Cracknell, Cllr Ray Puddifoot, leader of Hillingdon Council, Cllr Keith Burrows, cabinet member for planning, transportation and recycling, and the mayor of Hillingdon, Cllr John Hensley.

The event was also the second in a series of training days being organised by LRSC for elected members with an interest in road safety*.

The cameras have been installed to monitor motorists who compromise children’s safety by stopping or parking on the yellow zigzag ‘School Keep Clear’ areas outside the borough’s schools.

Hillingdon Council says ‘School Keep Clear’ markings are an important road safety feature which allows an unrestricted view for approaching motorists and for children waiting to cross the road.

Pupils from the school also took part in scooter safety and pedestrian training, delivered by Hillingdon’s road safety team and supported by Fred the penguin, the council’s road safety mascot.

James Cracknell, speaking at the launch, said: “Traffic CCTV is a brilliant idea because with all the local residents and all the people stopping, it’s not safe for you to be getting out of cars.

Addressing the school’s pupils, he added: “Learning how to scoot, cycle and understand road safety are so important in building good habits, but also building good habits safely. Really listen to what you’re being told today and then put it into practise every day and I hope you have a safe route to school.”

Cllr Keith Burrows said: “We are here today to promote the importance of road safety and the initiatives and practical ways that we as a borough can keep our young people safe on their way to and from school.

“The council has approved an investment of £1.7m for the installation of CCTV cameras outside schools throughout the borough and I’ve been given responsibility to oversee the project.

“I hope the introduction of this camera and others across the borough will become an effective deterrent to help our young people stay safe, and proof that, regardless of age, this administration puts all its residents first.”

LRSC training days
The LRSC launched a three-year programme of road safety training for elected members with a session on the Independent Travel Training Bus, organised by road safety teams from the Royal Borough of Greenwich and London Borough of Southwark

The training programme is designed to increase councillors’ knowledge and expertise, in turn enabling them to become effective road safety champions in their borough.

The programme comprises an induction leaflet for new elected members, a members’ forum (both in the members’ area of this website) and online training modules which are currently under development.

LRSC is also rolling out a three-year programme of visits to enable members to experience examples of road safety best practice from across London, which they may choose to use in their own local programmes.

05 October 2016