Residents in Eastern Green are urging the Council to take action on a busy junction before someone gets hurt. They’ve gathered a petition bearing 64 names petition urging the installation of a pedestrian crossing at the intersection of Eastern Green Road and Alspath Lane. They’ve now handed the petition over to councillors representing Woodlands Ward on the Council.
It’s been raised by local residents Vicki and Marcus Deane, who fear for the safety of their young children. The petition highlights the challenges faced by residents navigating the busy road near the Unicorn pub and Unicorn Avenue shops. The petitioners cite limited visibility, vehicle speed, and multiple junctions as significant concerns. Advocates argue that a pedestrian crossing, is crucial to ensure the safety of both pedestrians and drivers.
Commenting on the petition Marcus Deane said: “I have two daughters six and nine, and we like to walk to school. But the traffic on this part of the road means we often take the car instead as we struggle to safely cross the road. Visibility when trying to cross is poor, this combined with the speed of some of the cars that use the road makes crossing safely very difficult.”
He added: “We have witnessed other people having problems crossing, one of which described it as brutal. We are petitioning for the crossing before someone gets hurt. Our eldest daughter next year wants to walk to school and without improvements to this road we fear we may have to deny her this step in her growing independence.”
Woodlands Ward Councillors Ridley, Male and Lepoidevin, have given their backing to the community-driven campaign and echoed calls for the Council to act. Councillor Gary Ridley will present the petition to a meeting of all Councillors on Tuesday 16th January. They are expected to refer it to the Cabinet Member for City Services for further consideration, and to hear directly from campaigners.
Ahead of the meeting Cllr Gary Ridley said: “Installing a pedestrian crossing is a crucial step towards ensuring the safety of residents, especially families and schoolchildren. I know that speeding represents a real danger to pedestrians of all ages right across the city. But what makes this site unique is the number of amenities so close to a multi-junction layout. It’s a vital route for residents heading to local shops, the pub, and Park Hill Primary School. I call on the Council to think of the children and take action before something terrible happens.”
