A GROUP of schoolchildren voiced their fears about road safety at a meeting with local councillors.

The eight and nine-year-olds, from Springdale First School in Broadstone, Poole, gave a presentation at the Bearwood, Merley and Broadstone area committee meeting, following on from class work they had been doing on dangerous roads as part of the school's travel plan.

Headteacher Karen Gillis said: "We did an audit of all our pupils and sent out a map to everyone and asked them to mark the dangerous places on their way to school.

"There were some areas that came out as very dangerous so they were asking the area committee if they could help the school to make the roads round Springdale safer for them."

The pupils asked for a speed indicator device and a crossing along Springdale Road as well as somewhere safe for the crossing patrol lady to stand when helping youngsters cross the road.

Ms Gillis said: "We were pleased because the councillors were able to say that in the future there will be a crossing in Springdale Road and there's going to be some money to make a raised platform for the crossing patrol in Lewesdon Drive.

"The children were quite nervous because it's quite daunting for eight and nine-year-olds to talk to that sort of committee.

"But I think it's very good for our schoolchildren to have links with the councillors in Poole."

Cllr Mike Brooke, who chaired the meeting, said he was very impressed by the pupils' work.

He added: "They did an excellent presentation, outlining what they've been doing in terms of research and work on the travel plan and what sort of things they were looking at to solve the problems.

"We were able to give them answers in terms of what's already being offered and we did approve the crossing plan."

First published: May 25