'Profits are priority - not children's safety' (From Free Press Series)

'Profits are priority - not children's safety'

A MUM from Rogiet has accused councillors of putting profit before children's safety.

Glenda Batten, aged 31, is angry that councillors were worried a pedestrian crossing outside the post office might affect its trade.

She feels their priority should be the safety of road users.

In 2001, Glenda was on the same stretch of road riding her bike with her daughter, now aged six, in a tag-a-long attached to the back, when they were in collision with a car. They both ended up with cuts and bruises after landing in a hedge.

"I felt very angry when I read the story in the Free Press because profits are being put before safety from someone who doesn't even represent Rogiet.

"With people not parking properly on the main road it makes crossing dangerous and difficult."

Mrs Batten has lived in the area for more than three years and has noticed an increase in the volume of traffic on the roads, particularly lorries.

She feels there is a desperate need for traffic calming measures, with traffic lights and a pedestrian crossing.

Councillor Mike Smith said: "We are not opposing the crossing, we want to be sure it is in a safe place and does not have an adverse effect on the post office.

"The post office serves the community and relies on passing trade. If this was lost I do not think people would thank us if the post office and shop had to close as a result."

Richard Rayment, sub-postmaster of Rogiet Post Office and owner of Roadside Stores, said: "We certainly need the crossing in Rogiet and public safety is paramount, but I stand to lose around 40 percent of my business if it is put outside my shop.

"More than half my customers arrive by car and if there is a no-parking zone for 35 metres either side of me they'll simply drive on to a place where they can park. Without that passing trade I won't survive."

Of Mr Rayment's customers, 650 have signed a petition to have the crossing sited elsewhere. He will present it to Monmouth-shire county council during a public meeting at Rogiet School next Tuesday.

Cllr Smith said: "I understand the woman's concerns, but it would be a waste of money to put the crossing in the wrong place.

"A possible place for a crossing is Ifton Road, most children attempt to cross there."