New crossing for Mid Devon school

Witheridge School improving road safety

A new zebra crossing will be installed outside Witheridge School after concerns about road safety.

Money from developers of new housing will fund the £77,000 scheme on Fore Street in the village. Two new bus shelters will be constructed too.

Fore Street is the main road through Witheridge on the B3137, which carries on northbound to South Molton and to Tiverton in the south.

A report to this week’s North Devon highways and traffic orders committee said the crossing has been a long-standing request from the school. Currently, parents and children have to cross at an uncontrolled point on Fore Street.

It added: “Efforts have previously been made to improve safety in the area, such as signing and road markings. However, concerns remain about road safety.”

As well as supporting safer routes to school and helping with active travel (i.e., walking and cycling) improvements in the village, a new footway included with one of the bus stops will increase accessibility to other facilities.

The existing shelter outside the school will be moved to the west side of Fore Street, south of the Butts Close access, and replaced with a new structure. Another will also be installed on the east side of Fore Street between the sports club and Lakelands Close.

Consultation with the school and the parish council found a general agreement for the project, while members of the committee also gave it the go-ahead.