Last updated at 16:49, Wednesday, 21 November 2012

HUNDREDS of householders have signed a petition demanding a crossing in a Walney street.

SAFETY HOPES: Caitlin Tucker, Alfie Harrison, Brett Harrison and Calhan Tucker next to traffic study equipment in Mill Lane, Walney. Residents want a pedestrian crossing to be installed in the road, near to the shops and close to North Walney Primary School SUBMITTED

Island residents are calling for a pedestrian crossing to be installed to make Mill Lane safer.

They have raised safety concerns for pedestrians, particularly children and elderly people, who are crossing the road in the area near to the shops, post office and bus stop.

Issues include the number of cars parking in the area forcing people to cross between cars, and also the curve in the road obstructing the view further along the road.

Walney Carnival Committee, which also looks into community matters, started a petition to get a crossing.

Some 300 signatures were collected in a fortnight.

The section of the road in question meets the corner of Duddon Drive, where North Walney Primary School is located.

Steve Thornton, the chairman of Walney Carnival Committee, contacted Councillor Mel Worth, who represents Walney North on Cumbria County Council, with the concerns.

The Highways authority has now put in traffic study equipment on the road.

Mr Thornton said: “We want to get a pedestrian crossing for the kids and the older people. There is very heavy parking in Mill Lane. People cross the road between parked cars.

“Kids walk in that area to go to school and to go to the shops.”

Brian Tucker, a parent from Thames Road, Walney, said: “A crossing would help the children. It’s a main road and you get a lot of cars parking there.”

Phillip Webster, the headteacher of North Walney Primary School, said: “For the safety of the local children and the wider community, a pedestrian crossing would be extremely beneficial.”

Cllr Worth said he would raise the matter with the Highways Advisory Sub Group and Cumbria County Council’s Local Committee for Barrow.

First published at 16:06, Wednesday, 21 November 2012
Published by http://www.walneylocal.co.uk