One bridge required - Merl Grove principal notes continued danger to school community

Following the death of a 14-year-old Merl Grove High School student in 2004, and a number of motor-vehicle accidents on Constant Spring Road in front of the institution, principal Carol Alexander has called for plans to construct an overhead bridge near the school to be revisited.

Nine years ago, Shakara Harris, a 12-year-old Merl Grove student, was hit by a sports utility vehicle while trying to cross the busy Constant Spring Road to get to school. She was later pronounced dead at hospital.

In addition to that fatality, Automotives was told on a recent visit to the all-girls school, a number of teachers and parents have experienced accidents while driving out of the school. Alexander also said one teacher's vehicle was written off and a parent hit down while crossing the road to attend a graduation ceremony held last month.

"I think the idea of the bridge should be revisited. Notwithstanding the problems, I think the children's safety needs to be considered. More signage coming up from Marketplace to show that motorists are approaching a school should also be implemented," Alexander said.

Alexander pointed out that following Harris' death there had been a call for an overhead bridge to be constructed, but several factors have hampered its implementation. These issues continue to plague possible construction.

"They said the idea of having the bridge wasn't feasible because there wasn't enough space on either side of the road," Alexander explained. She also said that there had been a call for a stoplight to be erected in front of the school, but that suggestion never bore fruit.

Real danger

Another suggestion, putting a pedestrian crossing in front of the school, also never came to fruition. However, there is a pedestrian crossing at the corner of Dunrobin Avenue and Constant Spring Road.

The Merl Grove principal also stated that the narrow sidewalks pose a real danger, as when a number of students leave the school at the same time it is inadequate and some tend to step into the roadway. This situation is further compounded by a vendor who occupies part of the sidewalk and some of the street people the students have to contend with.

Though Alexander is aware of the problems that exist, she encourages students to use the pedestrian crossing at Dunrobin Avenue and Constant Spring Road. She also pointed out that widening the sidewalk and adding rails would help to remedy the problem.

Former chairman of the Merl Grove High School board of management, Dr Alfred Sangster, explained that an overhead bridge is not feasible.

"The bridge idea I think is dead in the water. It doesn't have the kind of traction and the money that is necessary for its construction in these hard times. Under the circumstances, we just have to instil in the girls the discipline in crossing the roads," he said.

- C.B.