Parent Abu Kibrya, headteacher Anne Fontaine and Labour councillor Richard Cotton

SOMEONE will die if the Town Hall do not act urgently to sort out a primary school street used as a racetrack by impatient drivers, a headteacher has warned.

Hawley School, Camden Town, moved to its new building in Hawley Road seven years ago – and headteacher Anne Fontaine says she watches each day as children, parents and carers are put at risk by speeding vehicles.

Cars drive down the one-way system, which includes a bend, without slowing when they approach a zebra crossing. The complete absence of any signs warning of a crossing, a school or reminding drivers of the 20mph speed limit has infuriated parents.

Ms Fontaine told the New Journal: “It is an absolutely ridiculous situation. Will it take a death for the council to act? The majority of our children cross that road every day and we see a lot of near-misses. It has got to the point where people seem to think they are lucky if they are not hit.

“The constant near-misses are incredible – it is every single day. We watch parents step out on the crossing and peer forward, trying to look round for traffic, with their children held firmly back behind them while they try to see if it is safe. We have been here for seven years and we have asked repeatedly for some simple measures.”

With the news last week that the Town Hall were looking to spend a significant sum on an 18-month pedestrianisation trial on Camden High Street, parents, teachers and ward councillors have come together to demand action is taken immediately.

Ms Fontaine added: “There is nothing to indicate we exist. They have not even done the minimum. And further danger is created by the fact coaches for tourists pull up here and park on double-yellow lines while tourists have a look around the markets. No one comes by to ask them to move on or

explain why they aren’t allowed to park here.”
Camden Town ward Labour councillor Richard Cotton has been lobbying the Town Hall to act. He met with traffic officers in March with parents and has been promised some changes, including possibly a lollipop person.

But he said there needed to be more urgency.

He said: “Among the promises was a traffic officer who could patrol the road at school times, but would not be available for at least 12 months. This is jam tomorrow for something really, really urgent.”

And he slammed the Town Hall for plans to close part of the High Street while children’s lives are at risk.

He said: “It is galling. They have the money for the High Street closure for the tourists to do now but somehow do not have the money to put in place really urgent safety measures we have been asking for many years. We have to ask about the priorities when the High Street is having money lavished on it but we are told safety measures aren’t as important and we have to be patient.”

Father-of-three Abu Kibrya revealed how recently, as he walked his one-year-old to drop off their siblings, they were nearly hit.

He said: “It was terrifying. The car just did not stop.”

Mr Kibrya said the experiences of another Camden school could offer help.

He said: “Torriano School in Torriano Avenue has faced a similar issue.

“They have put in a wider crossing, speed bumps, and signage.”

A Camden Council spokesperson said: “We are committed to improving safety around schools and keeping schoolchildren and their families safe.

“To improve safety around Hawley Road, we are placing a vehicle-activated sign to make drivers aware of the crossing point which we hope to be in place for the start of the new school year, as well as recruiting a school crossing patrol officer to assist with safe crossings across for children and families.

“Potential further proposals to make the layout of Hawley Road safer for pedestrians will also be looked into.”