High-viz help makes school walk safer

Walking to school along a busy street in Ardingly is now safer for parents and children, thanks to 60 sponsored high-visibility tops.

The parish council asked the company to fund them as some of the traffic using College Road in the West Sussex village is generated by the nearby asphalt plant. 

Esther Clutton, of parents’ campaign Safer Streets in Ardingly, is delighted with the safety waistcoats, which arrived during May’s Walk to School week.

“Although Heidelberg Materials drivers adhere to the 30mph limit, many vehicles don’t, and parents have said more would walk their children to school if it was safer, and the jackets will make us much more visible,” said Esther.

Patrick Romano, who walks his two children to school, agreed: “Speeding traffic is an ongoing problem, compounded by narrow pavements, and I hope the jackets will act as a  reminder of the speed limit.”

The adult and child tops include the text “Heidelberg Materials supports 30mph in Ardingly”. Production manager at the Ardingly plant Peter Moore said: “We were pleased to arrange the donation to support the community.”