A WORKING group has been set up to break a deadlock over where to place a crossing for children outside a Weybridge School.
Staff from Cleves School in Oatlands Avenue and Surrey County Council (SCC), have set up the School Travel Plan Working Group.
Elmbridge councillors approved plans for the crossing in March 2009 and work began to drop the kerbs and put in railings and vehicle activated signs (VAS), following a petition of 1,300 signatures from campaign group CRISIS, (Cross the Road in Safety).
Although the VAS signs are up, work on the crossing had to stop because the school refused to close the gates to its car park.
Because the safe crossing location is between the car park's 'in' and 'out gates', Surrey County Council said the gates must remain closed at all times for safety reasons.
Headteacher Sue Croft refused to comply, because she believes the closure would lead to traffic building up - which could be more dangerous for pupils.
Graham Winton, a former mayor of Elmbridge and chairman of CRISIS, said: "I am glad they have started talking and they have to put together a school travel plan. They do have a timescale. I hope they can make some recommendations, as it has been very frustrating."
Runnymede & Weybridge MP Philip Hammond, who has been supporting the process and has been present at meetings, said: "There have been communication problems with the school and SCC but now they have come together, acknowledged there is a problem and have agreed a format to discuss solutions.
"We have to remember there is not unlimited money to spend, so they have to find the best possible solution.
"We just have to find an overall agreed solution. The safety of children is the primary concern for everyone and although they might not have the same opinion, they do have the same objection."
