New crossing for Deaf Academy after student appeal

The crossing will be aimed at helping students at the Deaf Academy in Exmouth

A £100,000 pedestrian crossing is due to be built to boost safety for students of a deaf academy in Devon.

Devon County Council said the puffin crossing scheme had been approved by its highways committee.

Construction on the crossing close to the main entrance is due to start in the summer holidays, making it "safer and easier" for students to walk to class.

School principal Sylvan Dewing said it followed a road safety campaign by students.

'Launched a campaign'

Mr Dewing said they "strive to support" their students to gain skills for independent living and "engage in community projects and trips".

The academy's position on a busy road meant the initiative was "particularly important", he added, as students "needed longer to check it is safe to cross".

Known formerly as the Exeter Royal Academy for Deaf Education, the Deaf Academy, a registered charity, moved from Exeter to Exmouth in 2020.

Mr Dewing added: “Upon moving to Exmouth our students launched a campaign to improve road safety around our academy and we are delighted that the Highways and Transport Committee has voted in favour of installing this crossing.”

The plan builds on safety measures implemented in 2022, the councils said, when warning signs and a 20mph speed limit notice were placed on the roads around the academy.

Its new purpose-built site is an education hub for about 70 students aged from nine to 25, a large percentage of whom are residential during term-time.

There are satellite sites within close walking distances, including Rolle House, and an adult learning and residential centre called Fearnside House, which is about 12 minutes away.

The scheme will include high friction road surfacing and advanced warning signs on both approaches, and the puffin crossing will feature visual, tactile and audible pedestrian indicators to cross the road, the council said.

The charity has committed to contribute £30,000 towards the cost, the council said.