Haddenham Launches the 2024 Slower is Safer Campaign

40 local people, including 6 pupils who make up Robert Arkenstall Primary School’s Road Safety Squad, representatives from Cambridgeshire County Council and East Cambridgeshire District Council, parish councillors, hauliers MLH, AG Wright and EJ and RE Clark, schoolchildren’s parents and our Neighbourhood Policing Team sergeant attended the launch of the Road Safety Campaign on 31st January. This initiative is a continuation of work carried out by Haddenham Parish Council and Robert Arkenstall Primary School last year to promote road safety and encourage reduction in the use of the village roads by heavy goods vehicles as a short cut. Speed monitoring and “Lorry Watch” took place in early 2023 and during March some central village roads were designated 20 mph.

Cambridgeshire County Council has been involved from the start. Lizzi Wales and Cal Easey from the Communities Team have been working with the Road Safety Squad and applied for funding from the East Cambs Community Safety Partnership to pay for the merchandise to be used in the campaign.

Parish council Chairman, Stephen Thompson, introduced proceedings saying that the parish council is “passionate about road safety”. He explained that the poster designed by a school pupil called Noah, will be the road safety brand and shared some of the results of the recent work. He also thanked AG Wright, EJ & RE Clark and MLH as fine examples of commercial vehicle operators who always drive safely and observe the speed limits.

Cambridgeshire County Councillor Bill Hunt said “Haddenham has a smashing parish council,” and regarding the road safety initiative, “It’s working.” There are still some issues with speeding vehicles on the steep and narrow Station Road (the A1421) and this is an area under ongoing review. Cllr Hunt explained that Cambridgeshire County Council voted unanimously on his motion to include the A1421 in the first tranche of A-road safety reviews. East Cambs is naming a new fleet of bin lorries and Cllr Hunt asked if the Road Safety Squad would like to suggest some names.

Lizzi Wales introduced the 6 members of the Road Safety Squad who are all from year 6 at the Robert Arkenstall Primary School. They delivered a presentation covering:-

• Their aim from Hettie “To help make sure everyone has a safe journey to and from school”.
• Joseph thanked the Parish Council for their support and for organising a school visit from
  hauliers Turners of Soham.
• Charlotte acknowledged “A grant from the Community Safety Partnership to fund the
  project.”
• Holly thanked local businesses and farmers for their support and displaying the poster on
  vehicles.
• Leila explained that “We are providing free wheelie bin stickers to every family in school
  and pre-school who live within the 20 mph zone.”
• Emily explained parents may sign up to a “Parent Pledge” and read out the pledge – “As a parent I promise to drive slower, be safe, be more aware, to use my eyes and not to take risks. I promise not to use my phone when driving and to respect lives.”

This initiative is a great example of collaborative working between 3 different council entities, local businesses, schoolchildren, parents and villagers with a shared aim to make our roads safer for all.

Press release from Haddenham Parish Council