Residents win probe over 'danger' crossing
CAMPAIGNERS who have fought to improve safety on a busy South Kirkby road for 40 years have been told the issue will be looked at.
South Kirkby residents called a meeting with Hemsworth MP Jon Trickett last November to air their road rage about cars speeding and a 'dangerous' zebra crossing on White Apron Street.
The group called for the crossing to be moved and for new traffic calming measures and speed cameras to be introduced.
On Friday the residents, Mr Trickett and district councillors Laurie Harrison and Harold Mills met with staff from Wakefield Council's highways department at The Grove, Stockingate, South Kirkby.
And after hearing their opinions, the council said it would carry out an assessment to see what can be done.
Mr Trickett said: "We are not opposed to having a crossing but we think it's in the wrong place. It may be the wrong type of crossing. It's the view of everyone in the community that this has to be looked at.
"It's very difficult for people to reverse out and a danger to residents. It's right on a junction."
Barbara Trickett, 60, of Prospect Terrace, said: "I don't cross there anymore as I nearly got knocked down.
"The cars stopped at both sides and I had started to cross. But another car came down so fast that it overtook, and I had to jump back so it didn't hit me.
"We've been trying for 40 years to get the crossing moved."
The group said there were many elderly residents living nearby who relied on having a crossing.
Coun Mills said: "The residents have taken action and thank goodness they have. The problems will get a lot worse because traffic will increase. Speeding is the main problem on that stretch of road."
Andrew Skelton, Wakefield Council's senior project engineer for highways, said he would set up a meeting with residents at the zebra crossing in the next couple of weeks.
He added: "We will discuss all the issues with them, carry out an assessment and look whether to upgrade or move it.
"The next stage up would be a puffin crossing."
He said the assessment would consider how many people use the crossing, traffic, the number of road accidents, the width of the footpath and carriageway, and the location of schools and bus stops.
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Wakefield
Thursday 09 February 2012
Today
Light snow
Temperature: 0 C to 2 C
Wind Speed: 8 mph
Wind direction: South
Tomorrow
Light snow
Temperature: -2 C to 2 C
Wind Speed: 15 mph
Wind direction: South east
