Rural roads a danger to walking students

Walking to school used to be an easy trek for children attending the Falmouth District Elementary School, but now some parents say they are concerned for their children’s safety.

A surge of residential development in the area has resulted in increased traffic on what were once quiet rural roads.

Michelle Jodrey lives on Gabriel Road and says that street was never designed to accommodate walkers let alone increased traffic. She has one daughter that attends the Falmouth school and a son due to start next year, as well, she provides after-school care to students. “There are no sidewalks there and the shoulders are very narrow. I've seen cars driving by children anywhere from 60-90 kilometres an hour.”

There is also a deep embankment with a 10 to 12-foot drop. “There isn't even a safety railing on that; a child could easily slip and fall.”

Jodrey notes as well, a lack of crosswalks at busy intersections surrounding the school district. “Sometimes I literally hold my breath when I see kids crossing these roads on their way to school. How can anyone expect kids to cross at Gabriel and Town roads

without a crosswalk.”

The result she said is schoolyard congestion as more parents opt to drive their children to school. “There are buses and cars using the same entrance in the morning, it's crazy. Kids have to try and get past all that traffic.”

Years ago, there were crossing guards at the school, but the only way to provide that now would be through parent volunteers, and Jodrey said that just wouldn't be reliable in the long term.

Not much hope

And Jodrey doesn't hold out much hope for sidewalks in the near future. “What it will take is a child being killed before anything is done.”

One concerned citizen believes he may have the answer. Dave Crouchman has submitted a letter to the West Hants Municipality outlining a proposal that he says would be a cost effective solution.

Crouchman has requested a change in traffic routing by making portions of the Falmouth Dyke and Gabriel roads into one-way streets. “This would allow a greater degree of safety for everyone in that area and would be in-expensive to implement.”

He also suggests possible sites for crosswalks and three-ways stop signs. “The Dyke and Back road intersection is the cause of worry for many as a site for possible accidents,” he said. “It is a wonder there hasn't been someone killed or seriously injured there. This would be seen as a move towards the future safety of residents in the area and a common -sense planning towards the future.”

West Hants Municipal Warden Richard Dauphinee said the letter will be passed on to the Department of Transportation but notes there is little council can do unless residents continue to voice concerns. “This is a matter which needs public input; people need to become involved in the process.”

One parent, who wishes to remain anonymous, says creating one-way streets would only frustrate local residents and do little to address the real issue. “Tell the local farmer that he has to go all the way around the block to collect his hay. It just won't work.”

The parent has two children who are walking students. And every morning, she travels with them to ensure their safe arrival. “All you have to do is walk along this road and see there's no shoulder. Cars are flying by and kids have to cross with no cross walk. Who would let their five-year-old do that on their own?”

During the winter season, the risk just goes up. “When the snow plow goes by there is nowhere for the kids to go to get out of the way. The shoulders are covered in snow and kids have to walk in the middle of the road.”

She has addressed the situation numerous times with the school and has requested an additional bus stop closer to home. However, since the distance limit for walking students to the Falmouth School is within a one-kilometre radius, buses are not permitted to stop.

School principle Karen Wallace admits as a parent she would have the same concerns, however, her hands are tied. “I have heard the concerns of parents and I would be very concerned for my children if they walked that route. It is an issue that has to be addressed.”

However, Wallace points out the school itself has no jurisdiction when it comes to sidewalks or crosswalks. “This is a Department of Highways concern,” Wallace noted. “Our community is growing and there are growing pains. These are no longer country roads.”

As far as the schoolyard goes, she has a wish list built for a proper drop off zone, but says there is nothing in the budget to allow for changes at this time. “As a parent I understand and there is no easy solution.”