"Understanding the road risks in your local area.
After months of planning and development Road Safety Analysis – who independently collated and analysed more than 200,000 pieces of data from the Department for Transport* and AXA are pleased to launch the ‘Local Road Safety Index’.
Road Safety Analysis’ data relates specifically to roads that are within the 500 metre radius around British schools. It has been collated to help local authorities, parents, teachers and drivers have a better understanding of the road risks in specific local areas." (https://axainsurancezone.com/local)
1.3 Miles is 2,092 metres.
1.3 Miles is 2,092 metres.
". . . research suggests that child pedestrians from the lowest socio-economic groups are over four times more likely to be killed or seriously injured on the roads. Up to 36% of collisions occurred in the most deprived areas of Wales in 2011." From the Road Safety Framework for Wales 2013.
Check my maths if you like but during the period (2005-11) this survey was undertaken the statistics for all Rhondda schools was:
COLLISIONS
|
CHILD
|
PEDESTRIAN CASUALTIES
|
CYCLISTS
|
1492
|
293
|
451
|
64
|
Below is the data relating to individual schools in Rhondda. Those with the highest number in each category are in red.
The highest figures in each category are shared between 4 schools. They read:
The closure of Pentre Primary and the transferral of children to Treorchy Primary means children from Pentre would take a route that embraces both schools. The combined figures read:
COLLISIONS
|
CHILD
CASUALTIES
|
PEDESTRIAN
CASUALTIES
|
CYCLISTS
|
|
9
|
1
|
2
|
0
|
|
21
|
5
|
5
|
0
|
|
30
|
4
|
11
|
1
|
|
13
|
3
|
3
|
0
|
|
10
|
2
|
3
|
0
|
|
27
|
4
|
12
|
1
|
|
22
|
2
|
7
|
1
|
|
26
|
3
|
10
|
1
|
|
34
|
5
|
10
|
1
|
|
10
|
2
|
2
|
0
|
|
40
|
10
|
13
|
0
|
|
25
|
9
|
9
|
1
|
|
33
|
7
|
5
|
0
|
|
42
|
8
|
8
|
1
|
|
14
|
4
|
5
|
1
|
|
16
|
8
|
4
|
3
|
|
8
|
4
|
5
|
1
|
|
12
|
4
|
2
|
4
|
|
11
|
1
|
2
|
0
|
|
15
|
3
|
7
|
0
|
|
36
|
7
|
13
|
1
|
|
50
|
11
|
13
|
1
|
|
13
|
3
|
3
|
0
|
|
48
|
10
|
14
|
1
|
|
54
|
8
|
22
|
4
|
|
22
|
5
|
5
|
1
|
|
13
|
3
|
5
|
2
|
|
25
|
3
|
4
|
1
|
|
51
|
8
|
13
|
3
|
|
21
|
7
|
8
|
1
|
|
8
|
1
|
3
|
0
|
|
32
|
6
|
5
|
2
|
|
17
|
9
|
3
|
0
|
|
13
|
3
|
7
|
0
|
|
39
|
8
|
14
|
3
|
|
42
|
10
|
16
|
3
|
|
41
|
6
|
11
|
1
|
|
64 |
12
|
20
|
2
|
|
46
|
5
|
10
|
5
|
|
56
|
11
|
13
|
4
|
|
22
|
4
|
6
|
0
|
|
31
|
6
|
4
|
2
|
|
31
|
4
|
10
|
0
|
|
33
|
5
|
12
|
1
|
|
29
|
4
|
7
|
0
|
|
11
|
1
|
7
|
0
|
|
10
|
3
|
4
|
1
|
|
33
|
7
|
5
|
0
|
|
27
|
4
|
12
|
1
|
|
11
|
1
|
7
|
0
|
|
56
|
13
|
18
|
1
|
The highest figures in each category are shared between 4 schools. They read:
COLLISIONS
|
CHILD
|
PEDESTRIAN CASUALTIES
|
CYCLISTS
|
64
|
13
|
22
|
5
|
COLLISIONS
|
CHILD
|
PEDESTRIAN CASUALTIES
|
CYCLISTS
|
75
|
15
|
27
|
4
|
In other words children from Pentre will have to travel a route that tops the statistics in 3 out of the 4 categories . . . "Would YOU be happy if your child was expected to do this?"
"Please complete our survey (Sidebar Top Right) as this is an issue that directly or indirectly effects us all."
"Please complete our survey (Sidebar Top Right) as this is an issue that directly or indirectly effects us all."
Pentre Primary Closure - A Story of Intrigue, Political Machinations and Parents Desperate Fight for their Children's Safety. . .
| Welsh Government | |
 |
Huw Lewis - Minister for Education and Skills
Mr Lewis was appointed to his current post following the 'resignation' of Leighton Andrews who came under fierce attack from opposition members following his support for our campaign to save Pentre Primary from closure. Mr Lewis upheld RCTCBC's decision to close the school despite our legal objections that alleged the consultation process was unlawful. He is also satisfied that RCTCBC ". . . has carried out an assessment of the route in accordance with guidelines and considered it safe and available to walk with an accompanying adult." |
 |
Edwina Hart - Minister for Economy, Science and Transport
Although not directly involved Ms Hart is responsibe for drafting the New Road Safety Framework for Wales. The Minister states within the document, "We are also committed to tackling poverty – understanding the links between road casualties and social deprivation, and seeking to address this." Pentre falls within this category and will provide a perfect case study in understanding the links between social deprivation and road casualties among the most vulnerable members of society - children from our socially disadvantaged community. |
 |
Leighton Andrews - AM for Rhondda and former Minister for Education and Skills
Mr Andrews support for the campaign to save Pentre was based on his belief that (i) the consultation process was flawed; (ii) the proposed route children would have to undertake was unsafe. Mr Andrews stated in his letter of objection to Cabinet that with regard to safe routes, "There is no evidence whatsoever that the Council has considered these issues in the paper that went to Cabinet. No safety assessment appears to have been carried out. There is, so far as I can see, no safe walking route to Treorchy Primary School from Pentre." Mr Andrews' support for our campaign may have cost him his job but it gained him the undying respect of his constituents for his principled and uncompromising stand. |
| Local Government | |
 |
Paul Cannon - Deputy Leader RCTCBC
Councillor Cannon had close links with Pentre Primary through the SAFE Project. In March of this year he invited Leighton Andrews and Huw Lewis, then Welsh Government Minister for Housing, Regeneration and Heritage, to visit Pentre in response to residents concerns regarding the many vacant and boarded up properties. On 22nd April at a Cabinet meeting he voted in favour of the proposal to close Pentre Primary School and transfer pupils to Treorchy Primary, a proposal that will create yet another empty building in Pentre as well as further decimate the community. As far as we are aware the visit of the Minister for Housing, Regeneration and Heritage has not as yet ushered in any tangible benefits for residents of Pentre. |
 |
Eudine Hannagan - RCTCBC Cabinet Member for Education
From the outset Councillor Hannagan's main concern was the issue of 'surplus places'. Apparently the community and shopkeepers of Pentre were no concern of hers. Although this sentiment was allegedly uttered in a cabinet meeting packed with the public and members of the press Mrs Hannagan denies that she ever expressed any such opinion. Obviously this would have been a prejudicial statement with regard to the consultation process as it would indicate decision makers state of mind at a formative stage. Her innocence was apparently confirmed in a statement issued by the Education Department: "The local authority has no documentary evidence which verifies this at all." |
 |
Andrew Morgan - Leader of RCTCBC
Commenting on the fact the proposal to close a primary school (Caegarw) within his ward was abandoned on the recommendation of Director Chris Bradshaw, Councillor Morgan stated: " “My biggest concern was the location and journey to the secondary school. . . It’s safe for savvy teens to negotiate the roads, but the A4059 is a very busy road for parents with one, two or maybe more little ones.” His position with regard to Pentre differs somewhat but he assured us that: "The (safe route) assessment criteria include a range of factors which can impact on safety and the Council commissions these assessments from a external consultants to ensure the reports are robust: " We applaud the commissioning of a robust assessment from an external consultant - But where is the Report? |
 |
Shelley Rees-Owen & Maureen Weaver
Plaid Cymru Councillors for Pentre Ward Initially very supportive working in tandem with the Pentre Action Group. Our paths diverged when they unilaterally decided to focus on the 'surplus places' issue with Leighton Andrews their primary target. This strategy was ultimately successful as Mr Andrews 'resigned' under considerable pressure from opposition parties and lack of support from within his own. This represented a considerable coup. The resultant media frenzy and the demise of Mr Andrews proved extremely damaging to our campaign. Our primary focus has always been, and will remain, the safety and well being of the children. |
| Officers of the Authority | |
 |
Christopher Bradshaw - Director of Education and Lifelong Learning
It was Mr Bradshaw who presented the proposal to close Pentre Primary to Cabinet on 22 April, 2013. Contrary to the belief held by the Education Minister that a safe route assessment was undertaken prior to the proposal being presented to Cabinet, as per Welsh Government guidelines, Mr Bradshaw has always maintained that a detailed assessment would only be undertaken after the decision to close the school was proceeded with following the consultation process. The first time we saw any evidence that a safe route assessment had been undertaken was in the final Consultation Report presented to Cabinet. Consequently we were not given the opportunity to challenge any of the questionable 'findings' of the Report or Checklist prior to a decision being made. |
 |
Geraint Roberts - Senior Transport Officer RCTCBC
Mr Roberts was responsible for the Safe Route To School Assessment Checklist that appeared in the final Consultation Report. As an employee of RCTCBC Mr Roberts can hardly qualify as an independent external consultant. Neither can a Checklist constitute a 'robust assessment'. For example, Mr Roberts confirms there is a continuous footway from Pentre to Treorchy. Perhaps he could show us where! Nevertheless the Minister has made it very clear that there is only an 'expectation' that the Authority will honour their promise to undertake a more detailed assessment now the decision has been upheld. RCTCBC are effectively given carte blanche to carry on as they please. |
| Pentre Action Group | |
 |
Pentre Action Group
A diverse community group formed with one common cause - to save Pentre Primary from closure. Having failed we are determined to do everything in our power to make sure our children's safety is given the priority it deserves and support any school facing similar issues. Having viewed the statistics this could obviously become a priority issue for other schools who in the future may find themselves in the same position. Safeguarding children's safety is not just Pentre's problem! |
"The Mystery of the Missing Report"
RCTCBC Leader Andrew Morgan is apparently under the impression the Director of Education's proposal to close Pentre Primary is supported by a robust safe route assessment commissioned by RCTCBC from an external consultant. This is exactly what the Pentre Action Group have asked for but all we have got is this:
 |
This is what passed for the Safe Route to School Risk Assessment undertaken by the Senior Transport Officer for RCTCBC.
The words 'external'', 'consultant' or 'robust' do not immediately spring to mind!
The report is comprised of ordnance survey maps with not very legible lines drawn on them.
They indicate alternative routes children would have to take.
The survey is based on a generic checklist drawn up by Road Safety GB.
It takes no account of local conditions and in our opinion should only be regarded as guidelines or a prercursor to a far more detailed and extensive report.
For example, although the speed limit along the route is 30 mph
we all know that most accidents and collisions occur because drivers do not observe speed limits.
Can anyone who has walked this route say with confidence that there is an adequate continuous footway.
Not just a continuous adequate footway but one they would be happy for young children to walk alone? I suppose it depends on your interpretation of adequate.
Yes the proposed walking route is along a Public Transport service route. However buses will only allow a maximum of three buggies/prams. It will also be too costly for many parents.
We are of the opinion that this is a totally inadequate assessment given that safety of children should be of paramount importance to the authority.
|
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|
 |
|
 |
|
Selected Quotes:
“It is not for the local authority to advise parents
on how to transport their children to school."
RCT Education Authority in response to concerns that children would have to leave home at least 30 to 40 minutes earlier, sometimes in the dark, to get to school on time or access Breakfast Club.
RCT Education Authority in response to concerns that children would have to leave home at least 30 to 40 minutes earlier, sometimes in the dark, to get to school on time or access Breakfast Club.
"It is a matter for parents to determine how they get their children to school, whether this be by public transport, private car or on foot."
RCT Education Authority in response to the concerns raised by parents now faced with a situation for which Mr Bradshaw is directly responsible.
RCT Education Authority in response to the concerns raised by parents now faced with a situation for which Mr Bradshaw is directly responsible.
"This is a decision for Parents."
RCT Education Authority answering parents concerns that older children will lose their independence if they have to be accompanied by an adult because of the nature of the route to school.
RCT Education Authority answering parents concerns that older children will lose their independence if they have to be accompanied by an adult because of the nature of the route to school.
"It is the responsibility of parents to ensure that their children get to school safely they must also determine whether their children need to be accompanied by a responsible adult."
RCT Education Authority's response to parental concerns regarding children's possible exposure to predatory adults.
RCT Education Authority's response to parental concerns regarding children's possible exposure to predatory adults.
"The local authority has no indication at the current time as to when this development is to proceed if indeed it ever will."
RCT Education Authority regarding the impact on traffic volume of the proposed Tesco development on the Cae Mawr industrial estate. Since this was written RCTCBC have granted planning permission to convert the Red Cow public house into 20 one bedroom apartments with no parking facilities. Both developments bisect the proposed route.
RCT Education Authority regarding the impact on traffic volume of the proposed Tesco development on the Cae Mawr industrial estate. Since this was written RCTCBC have granted planning permission to convert the Red Cow public house into 20 one bedroom apartments with no parking facilities. Both developments bisect the proposed route.
"This is a common scenario in the Valleys area, where very few dedicated cycle routes exist. It is difficult to envisage how this provision could be made given local constraints."
RCT Education Authority's response to the fact there are no safe cycle routes from Pentre to Treorchy.
RCT Education Authority's response to the fact there are no safe cycle routes from Pentre to Treorchy.
"The local authority will encourage parents not to use their cars to transport children to school. . . This unfortunately is a common scenario outside most if not all schools."
RCT Education Authority commenting on concerns regarding increased traffic congestion outside Treorchy Primary School.
RCT Education Authority commenting on concerns regarding increased traffic congestion outside Treorchy Primary School.
"This is a scenario that could occur at any school, including Pentre at the present time. We would encourage all schools to make appropriate provision to cater for such eventualities, including keeping supplies of dry clothing for children."
Advice to Pentre parents from RCT Education Authority after concerns were raised on the likelihood of children turning up to school in wet clothes given the distance involved and the inevitable prolonged periods of inclement weather.
Advice to Pentre parents from RCT Education Authority after concerns were raised on the likelihood of children turning up to school in wet clothes given the distance involved and the inevitable prolonged periods of inclement weather.
"This is a comment which appears to be personal opinion and cannot be supported by any documentary evidence."
In response to parents complaints regarding what they deemed as the rude and unprofessional behaviour of Cabinet members during the brief speech made by the Pentre Action Group Chairperson.
In response to parents complaints regarding what they deemed as the rude and unprofessional behaviour of Cabinet members during the brief speech made by the Pentre Action Group Chairperson.
"The local authority has no documentary evidence
which verifies this at all."
Referring to remarks allegedly made by Councillor Eudine Hannagan with reference to the community and shopkeepers of Pentre at a Cabinet meeting attended by the press and public.
which verifies this at all."
Referring to remarks allegedly made by Councillor Eudine Hannagan with reference to the community and shopkeepers of Pentre at a Cabinet meeting attended by the press and public.
"I can confirm that a reassessment of the route to Treorchy was not a condition of my approval of the proposal, I noted that the local authority had given a commitment to look at the route again in the event that the proposal were to proceed. It is reasonable to expect that a public authority will fulfil its commitments, and the decision letter expressed that expectation."
Huw Lewis - Minister for Education and Skills clarifying the fact that the decision to close Pentre would be upheld regardless of whether RCTCBC honour its stated commitment to look again in more detail at the proposed route in the event the decision were to proceed. It appears to be a classic horse after the cart scenario.
Huw Lewis - Minister for Education and Skills clarifying the fact that the decision to close Pentre would be upheld regardless of whether RCTCBC honour its stated commitment to look again in more detail at the proposed route in the event the decision were to proceed. It appears to be a classic horse after the cart scenario.
"PLEASE COMPLETE OUR SURVEY. IT COULD BE YOUR SCHOOL NEXT!"
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