IT IS only a matter of time before somebody is seriously injured or even killed while crossing the road between the two sites of Wellington School, a councillor has warned.

There have long been concerns about safety in South Street with students crossing from one side of the road to the other for lessons and sport.

But so far Somerset Council has said that South Street does not meet the criteria to have a pedestrian crossing installed – which has left local councillors and new Wellington School headmaster Alex Battison mystified.

Mr Battison met with members of Wellington Town Council’s economic development committee on November 13 where he said that road safety in South Street was a concern.

Cllr Steve Mercer said: “The thing that worries me is the children crossing the road. I drive down South Street often and I do worry.”

He explained that he had to put the brakes on recently when a student nearly stepped out into the road with their face up against their mobile phone. Thankfully the student suddenly stopped – realising where she was.

“There is no crossing in that area,” he said. “Motorists are basically driving through a school.

“It’s always on my mind and God forbid anything does happen.”

Mr Battison said: “Unfortunately iPhone-itis (his term for children walking along looking at their phone rather than where they are going) is something that many teenagers suffer from at the moment. Many schools have the same problem.

“But, seriously, we would like to see safety enhanced in that area.”

He said there were currently around 700 students at the senior school aged between 11 and 18 and 200 pupils at the prep school aged from three to 11.

“Pupils from Year Six can cross the road on their own,” said Mr Battison. “The students do cross the road from one site to the other and there is a risk and we do worry. So anything that can be done to improve safety would be welcomed.”

Cllr Keith Wheatley said he had been asking about a pedestrian crossing for the school for nearly three years – fully appreciative of the concerns about road safety.

“But Somerset Council has said that South Street does not qualify for a crossing – it’s absurd,” he said.

“It’s not a case of ‘if’ – it’s a case of ‘when’ somebody is hit by a car down there.”

Mr Battison added: “It is a busy road and the majority of drivers are very good in stopping and letting people cross, but it would be better if there was one main crossing point.”

Only recently councillors were told that hopes of getting a crossing installed in another part of Wellington in Taunton Road between St John’s Primary School and St John’s Church were scuppered because Somerset Council had deemed it not feasible.

Councillors have said that Somerset Council needs to look at South Street again about a possible crossing before there is a tragedy.

Cllr Mercer said: “I don’t think it is satisfactory that Somerset Council is saying ‘no’ to this.”