More support for road action

VILLAGE schoolchildren must be protected and urgent action is needed, say Fordham councillors in the wake of a road accident that saw two teenage girls hit by a car. As reported in the Ely Standard, campaigners who fought to save an axed school bus servi

VILLAGE schoolchildren must be protected and urgent action is needed, say Fordham councillors in the wake of a road accident that saw two teenage girls hit by a car.

As reported in the Ely Standard, campaigners who fought to save an axed school bus service between the village and Soham Village College had their worst fears realised when three girls in their final year at the school were hit by a car on their way home from school at Murfitt's Lane, Fordham.

One of the girls broke her arm in two places and suffered concussion, while two others were knocked to the ground.

Thankfully, the girls have now returned to school, but the incident has reignited a debate that began after the council withdrew the bus service and deemed the route to the school safe for pedestrians.

Now the campaigners have secured the backing of Fordham Parish Council, and district councillors Michael Allan and John Abbot.

Cllr Allan, who serves on the parish council and represents Fordham at the district council, said: "Doing nothing is not an option."

He said the county council is unlikely to take action before a police report has been completed, but said he had given the campaigners, led by resident Nigel Gale, his full support.

"The county council must review the situation as soon as possible; we don't want another accident."

Fordham district councillor John Abbot has also written to county council chief executive Ian Stewart demanding action.

"Now that almost the worst has happened to pupils walking on the route to Soham, it is time for the county to review and reverse that decision and allow free transport for all the college pupils before something even worse happens," he said.