Labour in Leeds

Local Crossgates and Whinmoor Councillors were on hand to join in the celebrations as a new traffic sign was installed outside Grimes Dyke Primary School on Stanks Drive, Whinmoor. Residents first approached local Councillors Pauleen Grahame, Suzi Armitage and Peter Gruen two and a half years ago to ask for traffic calming measures on the busy road which is prone to heavy traffic, especially during rush hour and the school run.  

The Councillors in turn approached the Highway’s department but were told there was no money to pay for any calming works. The situation was made worse by recent new housing developments that have led to a marked increase in traffic.  Pupils from the school approached the Whinmoor “B” Residents Association for help as they felt they had nowhere safe to cross the road when they were walking to and from school. Doreen Scahill who is Secretary of the Association then wrote to a number of local businesses asking for their help in raising the money that was needed to buy a new Vehicle Activated Sign (VAS). 

Doreen refused to give up and wrote every two months until she received replies, it took over a year but eventually Persimmon Homes, Yorkshire Housing Group, Yorkshire Transformation Ltd and Carrillion and all stumped up cash which was then match funded by the Outer East Area Forum,  to reach the target of £10,000. 

Councillor Pauleen Grahame (Crossgates & Whinmoor Ward) said: “As ward members we were delighted when the money was raised to pay for this much needed sign.  We were incredibly disappointed when we were told that the Highway’s Department could not pay for traffic calming measures and have been bowled over by the amount of work Doreen has put into raising the money herself.” 

A representative of the Whinmoor “B” Resident’s Association said: “It is very satisfying to see the sign up and working, anyone who drives over 20mph is faced with a flashing sign reminding them of the school up ahead and telling them to go slow. We have already seen the enormous difference it has made to the speed of traffic travelling up and down the road and I want to say a big thank you to everyone who donated to the cause, it really was worth it.”  

Photo shows (left to right) Councillor Suzi Armitage, Angus Deyton from Carrillion, Rita Grainger and Doreen Scahill from the Residents Association, Anthony Riley from Yorkshire Transformation Ltd and Councillor Pauleen Grahame.