THE local authority has confirmed that improvements will be made to increase the safety of a road near a primary school in Lower Gornal.
Dudley Council said that it will make road safety improvements near Red Hall Primary in the summer of 2026.
The announcement follows calls from Dudley MP, Sonia Kumar, who called on the government to take immediate action to improve the safety of the zebra crossing on Zoar Street.
Speaking during Education Questions in the House of Commons, Sonia Kumar highlighted the serious risks posed by the current zebra crossing, which spans a busy road between the school’s split sites.
She said in recent months, constituents have reported a sharp rise in “near misses” at the crossing, including vehicles braking suddenly, drivers shouting at pedestrians, and children having to run to avoid being struck.
Councillor Simon Phipps, cabinet member for economy and infrastructure at Dudley Council, said: “We are pleased to be able to confirm that we are in the early stages of design for improvements to the pedestrian crossing near Red Hall Primary in Lower Gornal.
“The proposals for the crossing will align with the ALDI development, which will result in highway improvements and potential changes to the school frontage.”
The neighbouring ALDI development has planning conditions for developers to improve the highway, the local authority said.
There will be a new access to the store, an additional pedestrian refuge further down Zoar Street and widening of the northern footway to the school site.
Ms Kumar had raised key issued with both the leader of the council, Cllr Patrick Harley, and the government, including increased usage of the crossing, with the school now having 410 pupils, the significant traffic volume along Zoar Street, the lack of crossing patrol, which was removed in 2021, the 'advisable' 20mph speed limit, which is not enforceable, and outdated traffic data for the road.
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