Crossing plea for death road
A PETITION has been started calling for a safe crossing on a notorious road that has claimed 12 lives in 16 years.
Mums, children and the elderly have all backed a campaign to install a pedestrian crossing across a busy section of the A642 Bridge Road.
They claim their lives are put at risk on a daily basis when trying to get to Horbury Bridge Junior and Infant School, the Post Office and local shops.
Mum-of-two Juliet Bodger, of Water Lane, Middlestown, has to cross the road everyday taking her daughter to school.
She said: “It’s the main road between Wakefield and Huddersfield so it’s really busy especially in the mornings and afternoons.
“The problem is there are quite a number of parents and young children that walk to the school, as well as lots of local elderly residents who have to cross the road to use the bus stop or get to the Post Office, but there is no crossing.
“There has been quite a few near misses – it is really hard to cross because you have to go out halfway into the road and try to stop the traffic.”
In previous years numerous residents have contacted the council asking for a safe crossing – but they say their pleas have been ignored.
But Mrs Bodger, 36, said: “The council has suggested that we walk up half way up Netherton Lane to the traffic island and cross there, walk down and then cross Bridge Road at the other side.
“I’ve actually walked that route and it takes you twice as long and it’s not easy getting up the hill with a five-year-old and a two-year-old.”
Residents would like a pedestrian crossing at the traffic lights at the bottom of Netherton Lane and then another one across Bridge Road near to the Bingley Arms pub.
They plan to present their petition to the council to show the strength of feeling in Middlestown, Horbury Bridge and Netherton.
Ian Wiper, service director for highways and transportation, said: “The council is currently looking at a number various traffic management proposals for the area, one of which could possibly be a pedestrian facility across Bridge Road.
“The council would of course be happy to receive the views of residents on this matter.”
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Saturday 04 February 2012
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