AT long last, after nearly 10 years of campaigning, it looks as if Camelsdale residents and parents will get their wish for a crossing in Camelsdale Road. West Sussex County Council's cabinet member for Highways and Transport, Tex Pemberton told The Herald: "We are going ahead with a signalised crossing for Camelsdale Road, but it is currently in the design phase which will be put forward for next year's works (2007- 08). "But since last week's trial, a school crossing patrol is probably justified and it is being positively looked at for Camelsdale Road. We have got someone who is interested. We also may get a second patrol, manned by a member of school staff in Church Road." Funding for a crossing with signals has already been made by the developers of an estate in Sturt Road, which was completed a couple of years ago. When asked when he foresaw a full-time school patrol officer being appointed, Tex Pemberton replied: "I hope it can be next month." Lynchmere has also pledged its support for a lollipop patrol on Camelsdale Road. The chairman of Lynchmere Parish Council, Sylvia McCallum, said: "We have already resolved to contribute to the payment of a lollipop person some time ago. Tex Pemberton has been working on traffic for us for a very long time. He has brought all our suggestions to Highways and they have looked at them. Sadly for many of them, we do not meet the national criteria and so we have been through a whole list of possibilities. "The traffic is monumental especially in the mornings, and of course it's important when the children go home because they [the cars] come from both sides [of Camelsdale Road]. The children need to cross the road. "Camelsdale School and Sarah Palmer have been so good in encouraging children to walk to school. It is very important that we ensure that they have a safe walk - they can't walk if it is not safe. I know many parents drive because of the safety issues." Sylvia McCallum continued: "We want them to walk to school for all sorts of reasons, not just for the children's health, but also carbon emissions and for the peace and quiet of our villages. So it is important that we put in measures that we keep the children safe." To help encourage children to exercise and for parents to leave their cars behind, every Wednesday, Camelsdale School has a walking bus which starts at the Mill Tavern, where parents can safely park. Parent and school governor Ian Young said: "My wife, Kathy, does the walking bus. It has actually grown since the crossing has been place. "Parents can park their cars and if they wish to walk with the walking bus, they can. There is also parking available in New Road which can be used and which could be implemented much more, rather than causing congestion outside the school. There are yellow lines outside the school and a [mock] school patrol. "The children dress up as policemen to tell drivers not to park there; it's quite effective. Every day they have different messages on their boards." The road-safety project is aimed at making the village and school community a safer place with measures such as the introduction of junior safety officers in school.
