1,000 back safety barriers campaign, but Highways Agency will not install them
More than 1,000 people have backed a campaign calling for safety barriers on one of East Yorkshire's busiest roads.
Concerned pedestrians and drivers are demanding the Highways Agency installs barriers alongside the A63.
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Blood Brothers lifestyle team, Harry Hornbrook, left, Ellis Howard, Tom Harteveld and Dominic Lyons.
The campaign is being led by a group of ten-year-old boys who are worried about the safety of pupils who use the route to get to and from South Hunsley School in Melton.
Dozens of pupils use a path just feet away from traffic travelling at 70mph.
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After spending their summer holidays raising awareness and collecting signatures, he team, called the Blood Brothers, is now preparing to hand in their petition as part of their Humberside Police Lifestyle project.
Debra Hornbrook, adult advisor of the Lifestyle team, said: "We're really pleased with the amount of support the campaign has received.
"The team have raised awareness of the situation and opened up the debate for how the footpath can be made safer.
"The amount of support the team has had shows how many people are concerned about it."
But despite the high profile campaign, the Highways Agency, who are responsible for the road, have indicated they will not install barriers.
A spokesman for the Highways Agency said: "We are aware of the safety concerns at the site and appreciate the interest the petition organisers have taken in the issue.
"It remains the Agency's view that a pedestrian guard rail would cause additional safety concerns because it would significantly reduce the width of the footpath.
"The safest option would be to close the footpath, and divert pedestrians and cyclists onto the existing safe route through Welton.
"The Highways Agency has consulted East Riding Council regarding the closure of the A63 footpath however the Council has raised concerns about this option."
Mrs Hornbrook added: "We do not think closing the footpath is the best option.
"Having children walking through Welton is just as dangerous.
"The children sometimes walk three abreast, pushing and shoving, so as a driver you've got to be on the ball.
"We are open to ideas, I think we all agree something has to be done."
A spokesperson for East Riding Council would not comment on its issues regarding the closure of the footpath but told the Mail they are working with the school to try to improve the situation.
As well as collecting signatures the caring Lifestyle team also collected more than 1,000 items of cat and dog food which was donated to the Sunnydene Animal Shelter in South Cave, and raised money for Cancer Research through a charity bike ride.
Comments
by Ranter, Hull.
Monday, September 06 2010, 9:02PM
“Shows what value the penny pinchers at the highways agency put on human life doesnt it. They always harp on about how concerned they are about safety, but this proves its only lip service.
Wouldnt have thought a 3 inch wide safety barrier would have such a significant effect in reducing the width of the footpath would you. Do they think all the kids are Billy Bunter size?. What if the schools put all the kids on a strict diet, then they will be thinner, and the loss of pavement width wont be noticed.
Failing that, make the A63 5 or 6 inches narrower. If it saves a life, most motorists wont complain about the loss of tarmac.”
by Magoo, East Yorkshire
Monday, September 06 2010, 5:23PM
“If we are looking at barriers on the A63, how about the two crossings on Castle Street Hull? Pedestrians waiting to cross from the central reservation have only a small railing to protect them, which is square on to the traffic. An out of control lorry would go through it like butter.”
by Victoria, Brough
Monday, September 06 2010, 1:54PM
“Well done lads for all your hard work, the highways agency doesn't give a damn about Children's safety.”
by Cynic, Hull
Monday, September 06 2010, 10:34AM
“I would imagine they will put a 47.3 mph speed limit, and a couple of cash-cow cameras in, rather than simply doing away with a footpath so close to a national speed limit road.
(On that note, why are the new 50mph limit on the A63, and the 40mph stretch on the 1033 from the Docks to Myton Bridge, *NEVER* enforced? Lorries treat both those stretches like a motorway, travelling at their limits. And cars travel at quite a lick too, and as for motorbikes... well they're just a blur weaving between the speeding lorries and cars!)”
by Cynic, Hull
Monday, September 06 2010, 10:34AM
“I would imagine they will put a 47.3 mph speed limit, and a couple of cash-cow cameras in, rather than simply doing away with a footpath so close to a national speed limit road.
(On that note, why are the new 50mph limit on the A63, and the 40mph stretch on the 1033 from the Docks to Myton Bridge, *NEVER* enforced? Lorries treat both those stretches like a motorway, travelling at their limits. And cars travel at quite a lick too, and as for motorbikes... well they're just a blur weaving between the speeding lorries and cars!)”