I JOIN with many across the city in wishing the school girl injured in the recent collision outside South Wilts Grammar School a rapid and complete recovery.

However, the article last week on a ‘crossing campaign’ on Stratford Road will have confused many. As the Wiltshire Councillor for St Francis and Stratford, I write to clarify the situation. I am currently working with the school to explore the best way to prevent such a collision happening again. It is by no means clear that a crossing is the solution.

Other possible options include a 20mph zone, improving street lighting by the school and enforcement of the newly-repainted double yellow lines. In relation to a “crossing campaign”, there is a long-standing request by myself for a crossing on Stratford Road to help older people from residential homes in Stratford and Hudson Road. An assessment was planned for last year but we waited for the recent residents’ parking extension to be completed, which is now due to take place in February.

I will then discuss the results with the highways officer and the resulting recommendation will go to the Salisbury Community Area Transport Group for funding.

A separate speeding survey was carried out several years ago, at various places along Stratford Road throughout Stratford-sub-Castle, but speeds were not high enough to require council action and a request for community speedwatch met with too few volunteers to go ahead.

To help members of the public find the appropriate person to contact in future, the Salisbury City Council has kindly agreed to list Wiltshire councillors on the Councillor Locator page of its website.

I hope this makes the situation clearer.

Mary Douglas

Wiltshire Councillor for St Francis and Stratford