"There's going to be an accident involving a child" - Halifax nursery's call for action over dangerous driving
A nursery in Halifax says the safety of children is being put at risk unless urgent action is taken by Calderdale Council on dangerous drivers.
Gail Broadbent, owner of All Saints pre-school, at Shaw Lodge Mills, is concerned that drivers using Shaw Lane as a rat-run, or motorists parking to use other businesses nearby, will collide with a child unless preventative measures are taken.
"The traffic is ridiculous," said Gail, "it's used as a rat run from Huddersfield Road.
"They're lovely mills and they're being used really well now, there's a lot of child care businesses in the area. There's us, there's the play gym across the road, a dance class, but there's not enough parking.
"People park like pillocks. There's also speeding traffic, with people that don't give a monkeys.
"I've been in touch with the council to try and get them to come down, but they've said until there's serious accidents, they can't do anything about it.
"I've requested they do a speed survey, but until there's accidents reported, they can't do anything about it.
"I'm worried it's going to start affecting our business, but my main concern above everything else is there's going to be an accident involving a child.
"We've had members of staff who've got parking tickets and had their cars bumped, reversing into a car that was speeding or fighting for the next parking space.
"But the children's safety is my main concern. Staff keep the children extremely safe, but we just wish the council and drivers would take responsibility for the area too, to keep us safe."
Gail has been frustrated at her attempts for changes to be made so far, but says something needs to be done.
"The police have said they can't put speed bumps in because it's a protected road," she said.
"Traffic wardens come every day, so they obviously know they can make money from us.
"I'd like double yellow lines repainting, there are some but they're not enforcable because they're too faint.
"I'd like the council to take some responsibility for children in the authority, and some clear signage that there's children in the area.
"There's a lot of foliage that needs trimming on Gaukroger Lane, and some clear signs saying slow down.
"We've had a family that have paid for some signs for us, but there's nothing enforcable.
"Whether it's made one way further down the line, I don't know."
Calderdale Council have been contacted for comment.