A NEW pedestrian crossing is set to be installed on a ‘dangerous’ Kidderminster road after cash was made available.
Campaigners say Franche Road, below the entrance to White Wickets Park and near Woodlands Avenue, is proving a ‘nightmare’ for parents walking their children to school.
After campaigning for the new crossing, Coun Anthony Upton has received confirmation of matched funding, which means he is able to use divisional Highways funding, which Worcestershire
County Council will match, to enable a safe crossing at both ends of the road.
Coun 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, previously said trying to cross Franche Road each day was a nightmare.
She said: “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.”
Coun Upton added: “This is fantastic news for all residents who have to cross Franche Road to access the schools in the area, such as Baxter, St. John’s, St. Catherine’s, along with providing a safe walking route to Franche Community School in Chestnut Grove, whose residents suffer chronic traffic problems every school day.
“It also brings a safe crossing for pupils, and students who use the public transport to and from schools and colleges and at present must cross this busy A road.
“Residents will have a safe crossing to White Wickets Park; it will also serve the elderly and people with mobility issues with parallel dropped kerbs on the crossing. It’s a privilege to serve the community and bring these improvements to the area.”
