A CALL has been made for an additional pedestrian crossing on a ‘dangerous’ Kidderminster road which campaigners say is proving a ‘nightmare’ for parents walking their children to school.
The campaign centres on Franche Road, below the entrance to White Wickets Park and near Woodlands Avenue.
It comes after Coun Anthony Upton received many emails from concerned residents, most who have children needing to cross the road daily for school journeys.
Kim Fuente, who walks her children to Franche School, said trying to cross Franche Road each day was a nightmare.
“Vehicles will not stop to allow us to cross, so we must wait for a gap, or until I feel forced to walk out and make drivers give way, which then, hopefully, will make cars coming in the other direction also stop allowing us to cross.
“Cars frequently travel over the speed limit on this road, even with the VSR sign warning them.
“The crossing by Mouse Lane and Marlpool Place is out of the way for us, as I also have an autistic son who we would love to see walk independently to Baxter College.
“But we have to supervise him in crossing the road in the mornings and back at 3.30pm due to how dangerous and busy this road is.”
Coun Upton added: “It is really important to provide a safe crossing here and, although there is already a pedestrian crossing at the top of Franche Road, opposite Mouse Lane, it does not serve the community at the bottom of the road.
“There are many children and students walking between Habberley and Marlpool areas to reach Baxter College, St John’s and St Catherine’s Schools, as well as Franche Community School.
“There is no safe crossing place unless you walk down Proud Cross, which is ridiculous to ask of children and parents, especially in bad weather conditions.
“Franche Community School can also be factored in, as this would provide a safe crossing point to encourage parents and children to walk through White Wickets Park, connecting Franche Road to Chestnut Grove, as an alternative to driving.
“We know Franche School suffers from chronic traffic problems accessing the school on Chestnut Grove.”
A Worcestershire County Council spokesperson said: “We are aware of the local county councillor’s request for a crossing at this location and it is currently being progressed.”
