Hucknall Councillor welcomes feasibility study into pedestrian crossing on dangerous road near Hillside School

A Hucknall Councillor has welcomed the news that Nottinghamshire County Council will carry out a feasibility study into the installation of a pedestrian crossing near Hillside Primary and Nursery School.

Councillor Lee Waters, who represents Hucknall South on the county council for the Ashfield Independents, has been campaigning alongside parents of pupils at the school for a crossing on Wood Lane at its junction with St Patrick's Road. They are worried that if no action is taken, there may be a major accident after reported near misses.

Nottinghamshire County Council twice initially refused the request but have now agreed to carry out a feasibility study into the pedestrian crossing.

In an email, the county council said: "Your request for a pedestrian crossing on Wood Lane has been taken in to consideration. I am pleased to advise that this has been put forward for a feasibility study to be completed. Once we have the results of the study we will be able to advise further."

Councillor Waters has asked for the feasibility study to be conducted as soon as possible. He claims a pedestrian crossing would make it far safer for pupils and pedestrians alike.

He said: "I am pleased that the County Council have finally listened to our collective voice. It is a victory for people power. The junction of Wood Street and St Patrick's Road is a nightmare for parents and pedestrians at the best of times. There have been a number of near misses, the school crossing patrol was axed, and parents have told me it is an accident waiting to happen. We are now calling for the feasibility study to be done as soon as possible. I will then be pressing for the pedestrian crossing to be installed urgently. For us – this is a no brainer but we need action now."

One parent said: "We've had some near misses, reports of people dangerously crossing and one child has been caught by a car. Our worry (is) that without a safe crossing for pupils and parents, that something more serious could happen."

Another, commenting on the feasibility study, said: "This is great news for myself and the other parents who had also raised concerns regarding the road. Our fears are that someone will get hurt or worse if we are left to our own devices to cross this road each day with our children. We haven't had a lollipop person since last year and there's been some difficulty in having one that is there for us regularly. Safety should be a priority and I'd hate for it to be an afterthought when the statistics have changed."