Clerkenwell primary children spell it out to cyclists in a hurry: please stop at the crossing?

Published: 28th January, 2011
by TERRY MESSENGER

PRIMARY schoolchildren staged a protest this week against cyclists who whizz past as they wait to use a pedestrian crossing.

Teachers and pupils fear a child will be killed unless cyclists stop speeding down a hill outside Clerkenwell Paroch­ial CofE School in Amwell Street.

In one case a cyclist swore at a girl “for attempting to cross the road”, they say.

Ten-year-old Penny Kaur Kingdon said: “It’s very dangerous and there could be a serious injury.   They would feel very guilty if they knocked down a child.”

The children held up letters spelling out the message, “Please stop at the crossing”, during the rush hour on Tuesday morning.

The school lies on a designated cycle route from Finsbury Park to the City used by hundreds of commuters.

Headteacher Matt O’Brien said: “It’s not just cyclists. Cars and buses are also a problem. But cyclists are the main problem.

“The hill begins at Pentonville Road at the top and by the time they reach us they really have picked up speed. 

“And they can’t resist the temptation to whizz past although children are waiting at the crossing.

“They are a particular menace because they are so quiet and it’s very easy for a child not to notice them.”

Mr O’Brien said that only last week a 10-year-old schoolgirl was abused verbally. 

“He was effin’ and blinding at her for having the temerity to expect to cross at a pedestrian crossing,” he said.

Mr O’Brien stressed that the school organised cycling lessons for pupils and was opposed to dangerous cycling – not cycling itself.

The demonstration was organised by pupils on the school council, along with their teachers.

Protester Brooke Henley, 7, said: “I want to ask people: can you stop at the crossing so there isn’t an accident?”

Tommy Bagan, 9, added: “They zoom past.   We’re not scared but we want to send a message – be safer.”

The school has asked Islington Council to consider introducing a lollipop warden or traffic-calming measure.

Labour environment chief Councillor Paul Smith said: “Each request for a new school crossing patrol warden is looked at on a site-by-site basis and we are in the process of finalising the assessment of the Amwell Street crossing.”