Construction starts on crossing to improve safety near Newark Hill Primary
Works have started on a permanent crossing outside Newark Hill Primary Academy on Eastfield Road, the council has confirmed, as elected members and local parents seek to reduce risks for pupils walking between Parnwell and the city centre.
The scheme follows the authority’s decision as part of its 2024/25 savings to remove crossing patrols outside four primary schools, a move that saved £39,000 a year but prompted concern from families and ward councillors. Newark Hill is one of the four schools affected; the others were Eye Primary, Werrington and Old Fletton primaries.
“Works have finally begun on the new school crossing by Newark Hill Primary. We have been fighting for this for a long time - thanks to councillors, parents & school staff for getting us this far. It will be ready for the new school term.” — Peterborough MP Andrew Pakes
Council leaders say the new crossing is part of a package of mitigation measures discussed with ward representatives to support people crossing the road safely. These measures include temporary patrols and upgraded signage at other schools, and a revised 20mph zone in one area.
- Location: Eastfield Road, outside Newark Hill Primary Academy
- Completion target: before the start of the school term in September
- Related budget change: crossing patrols cut at four schools in 2024/25, saving £39,000 per year
Cabinet member for environment and transport, Cllr Angus Ellis, said the council recognised the issue and had worked with ward councillors to identify appropriate measures. In a statement he described the crossing as one element of a set of actions intended to improve safety for children and other pedestrians.
Dogsthorpe ward councillor Ishfaq Hussain welcomed the move and thanked the administration for responding to residents’ concerns, saying councillors should put safety at the top of their priorities.
What the changes mean locally
For parents and carers around Newark Hill, a permanent crossing promises a consistent, engineered place to cross a busy road. Temporary patrols can help in the short term, but permanent crossings are intended to provide a lasting reduction in risk, particularly at the times pupils arrive and leave school.
The decision to remove school crossing patrols in 2024/25 was part of broader budget savings and has been controversial. The reinstatement of a physical crossing at Newark Hill will address one of the most visible consequences of the cuts, but it does not replace the patrols at the three other schools affected.
Officials say other mitigations are planned or being considered:
| School | Action taken / promised |
|---|---|
| Newark Hill Primary Academy | New permanent crossing being constructed |
| Eye Primary | Temporary school crossing patrols until a zebra crossing is installed |
| Werrington Primary | Upgraded signage and extension of 20mph zone |
| Old Fletton Primary | No specific permanent measure announced yet |
The council has not provided a detailed timetable for all the measures beyond the promise that the Newark Hill crossing will be completed by September. That deadline aims to ensure the infrastructure is in place for the new school year.
Balancing budgets and local safety
For residents, the episode raises a familiar local-government dilemma: how to reconcile constrained council finances with visible local needs. The original removal of patrols produced an immediate fiscal saving, but councils across the country are under pressure to invest in highway safety around schools without stretching core services.
Locally, the political response has involved ward councillors lobbying for targeted safety improvements. Whether the new crossing and the other measures will satisfy parents and reduce anxieties about school journeys remains to be seen once pupils return.
Work has now begun on site; residents will be watching the programme closely to ensure the promised completion date is met and that the crossing provides the practical protection families are seeking.
