Call for pedestrian crossing on 'dangerous' road (From Worcester News)

Call for pedestrian crossing on 'dangerous' road

6:10pm Monday 25th February 2013 in News By James Connell

dangerous: Councillor Richard Udall is calling for a crossing on Henwick Road. Picture by Paul Jackson. 0813251704

A councillor is calling for a pedestrian crossing so pensioners can get across a “dangerous” road safely.

Coun Richard Udall, who represents St John’s, Worcester, conducted his own survey of 250 elderly residents at the end of January and found that 98 per cent of them backed a crossing on Henwick Road.

Mr Udall, who also campaigned successfully for the crossing at the bottom of Tybridge Street, Worcester, said of Henwick Road: “It is very dangerous for elderly residents crossing the road, with many of the services they need, for example the GP surgery, on the opposite side of the road.”

Coun Udall, who raised the issue at the last full meeting of Worcestershire County Council, said: “I believe a pedestrian or zebra crossing would be suitable for the area, with the most suitable location being near to the entrance of Russell House.

“The area is cut off by a heavy road. If they have difficulty crossing the roads, they’re trapped. I have had more than a few residents tell me how difficult it is to cross and how many near misses they have had.” Coun Udall said this was not only a matter of concern for older people but mothers with children trying to get to Cripplegate Park.

Coun Udall, deputy leader of the Worcester Labour Group at County Hall who is both a city and a county councillor, said the crossing would cost between £100,000 and £220,000, depending on what type was chosen.

He said: “I am hopeful we will get at least a zebra crossing which will give some measure of safety and security to people crossing the road.”

The subway at Tybridge Street closed last month as part of a six-month trial after Coun Udall said residents in the nearby flats complained to him of noise, anti-social behaviour and vandalism.

Worcestershire County Council’s highways manager Jon Fraser said: “We will be looking at Councillor Udall’s suggestion to determine what action may be appropriate."”