A DANGEROUS Rugby bypass will soon be safe for pedestrians after a successful campaign to construct a safe crossing.
Campaigners have been told a crossing will soon be added to the Western Relief Road (A4071).
The campaign’s supporters said the lack of a crossing was putting at risk users of the pedestrian and cycle path from Jubilee park to the Western Relief Road – many of them students of Avon Valley School.
Jane Hutchison, who launched the campaign in June, said: “At peak times, crossing the relief road where the public footpath adjoins it is very difficult and potentially dangerous. Cars are travelling at some speed, and the road is used by many heavy vehicles.”
Labour county councillors Maggie O’Rourke, Alan Webb and Mary Webb committed to the cause after they met with parents of Avon Valley pupils – and will pool their resources to fund the pelican crossing, with construction to start hopefully before the end of the financial year.
They had also discovered there were no steps taken to construct any safe crossings for children when the road was originally built – even when building the road next to the school.
Labour Party Chairman for Rugby Coun Alan Webb said: “It’s a major achievement that this crossing will soon be built on the treacherous Western Relief Road.
“We have tried before to put up traffic calming measures on the stretch of road where the young schoolchildren cross but they often went unnoticed. So we knew a crossing was needed before something bad happened to one of the pedestrians.
“We can finally rest knowing something will be done to stop any future accidents.”
Alison Davies, Headteacher at Avon Valley School, said: “We’re delighted that the council have taken action as it will greatly improve the use of the road for everyone at the school. We are also overwhelmed by the council’s response and happy to see the crossing is on the way to being constructed.
“We often have to deal with rush-hour traffic when the school opens and closes and this crossing is sure to help the safety of the young pupils who use the road.”
