Exeter head's warning after child knocked off bike

A reversing car narrowly missed a child near the planters on Ladysmith Road

A head teacher has urged parents and carers to drive more carefully after a child was knocked off a bike.

Neil Williams, of Ladysmith Junior School in Exeter, said the child was "OK", but the incident "could have had a worse outcome".

In a separate incident also on Wednesday, a reversing car "narrowly missed" a child, he said in a letter.

"Parking and driving in a manner which is putting the children at risk is not acceptable," he said.

The traffic trial, which started in August 2023, is set to last 18 months in total

The incidents come amid a row over a "divisive" traffic control scheme around the school, said Mr Williams.

"Whilst we recognise this, we are sure that you will agree the safety of our children and families is of paramount importance," he said in his letter. 

"We have nearly 700 children and parents during drop off and pick up around very narrow and congested roads.

"We understand that it can be difficult to park near the school, but parking and driving in a manner which is putting the children at risk is not acceptable.

"If you do need to drive, please allow yourself extra time to find a safe place to park and walk your child into school."

Devon County Council's Lower Traffic Neighbourhood (LTN) scheme has seen some roads in the city closed off to cars to reduce traffic.

Councillors on the Exeter Highways Committee approved the LTN trial in the Heavitree and Whipton areas in June, at a cost of £190,000 and there have been protests against it.

A report measuring the success of LTN scheme found only two out of 10 indicators were performing well.

A spokesperson for the Devon County Council said they were "sorry to hear" a child had been involved in the incident.

"We hope that they weren't too badly hurt and that they make a full and speedy recovery.

"Fewer parents driving and fewer cars near school gates can go a long way to reducing the issue, and increasing the take-up of active travel to school is one of the goals of the Heavitree and Active Streets Trial and the wider Exeter Transport Strategy.

"We are constantly monitoring the trial and will be in engaging further with schools to give us a better understanding of how the proposals are influencing driver and pedestrian behaviour in the area.

"There will be a further review of the data and feedback at the May Highways and Traffic Orders Committee, which will inform next steps with the scheme."