Delay on school path at Frodsham road danger spot

Feb 27 2009 by Barry Ellams, Chester Chronicle

WORK on a promised new footpath to help safeguard pedestrians on a busy road in Frodsham has been delayed.

After years of campaigning, families living in Ellis Lane last year organised a successful petition – backed by Weaver Vale MP Mike Hall, the town council and Vale Royal borough councillor Brian Lloyd – and were expecting a new footpath to be built in Bridge Lane, between Ellis Lane and Pear Tree Close, by the end of next month.

But highways officers now say contractors have “lost this window of opportunity” because they’ve been called to other jobs.

County engineering assistant Mark Jones apologised for the delay and said he now intended the scheme – which includes a 1.5-metre wide footpath and drop crossing with tactile paving – to be carried out early in the new financial year.

Two other pedestrian safety schemes in Frodsham will also now have to wait until after April: work to realign the footway in Fountain Lane, opposite the entrance to Castle Park to make it easier for wheelchairs and pushchairs to negotiate and installation of a zebra crossing on the A56 in Bridge Lane, west of Frodsham Business Centre.

Mr Jones said: “It became apparent that Vale Royal has plans to alter the Fountain Lane entrance to Castle Park so I anticipate being able to tie the two jobs together and consultation with residents will take place soon.

“A report is going to the final Highways and Transportation Local Joint Committee for Vale Royal requesting permission to advertise the proposed zebra crossing on Bridge Lane and, if approved, consultation will follow. A crossing has been requested at this location, on a pedestrian route to Frodsham Manor House Primary School and near a bus stop used Helsby High School children.”