Elderly residents of a retirement housing complex in Helsby have launched a campaign to have a pedestrian crossing installed near Lower Robin Hood Lane on the A56 Chester Road, as many are afraid to cross the busy thoroughfare.
Last week the Chronicle highlighted data from the interactive speed sign on Chester Road, which revealed that more than 40% of eastbound motorists who passed it between October 2 and December 3 exceeded the 30mph speed limit.
Now residents of Lincoln Court, on Lower Robin Hood Lane, are fighting for a crossing so they can easily access the bus stop outside Badger’s Barn Day Nursery.
Chair of Lincoln Court Residents’ Association Olive Wainwright told the Chronicle that many residents, the majority of whom are in their late 70s and 80s, have problems with their mobility or sight.
“For residents, not just those of Lincoln Court, to cross over to the bus stop by Badger’s Barn, it can be quite dangerous and can take a while,” she said.
“A lot of people in Lincoln Court are quite slow-moving or cannot see very well.
“There are a lot of young families in this area and I see lots of mums struggling with buggies.
“It is a huge issue for people here.”
Olive added that some are so intimidated by the road that they won’t go out on their own at all, relying on friends or relatives to take them out instead.
She said: “It is restrictive.
“I just think it is essential for older people to have access to their nearest bus stop. It gives them a lot more freedom to be able to go to places, not necessarily to shop, but just for a change of scenery and to mingle in the community.”
Helsby already has a zebra and a puffin crossing but Olive maintains that it is not practical for Lincoln Court residents to walk down to the other crossings and bus stops, especially if they are carrying shopping or the weather is poor.
She said she intends to draw up a petition which she hopes to place in the library and the community centre.
The campaign is being backed by Helsby Parish Council and Weaver Vale MP Graham Evans.
Mr Evans said: “I have been consulted by a number residents in Helsby who have had difficulties crossing Chester Road, adjacent to Lincoln Court and Lower Robin Hood Lane.
“I am always keen to support initiatives aimed at improving road safety and I am happy to support the campaign that has been started by those residents that I met with previously, to press for a crossing in that locality.
“To further that, I have recently written to the local authority on this matter asking them to give consideration to locating a crossing in that area.”
A spokeswoman for Cheshire West and Chester Council said they will be carrying out a crossing survey at the site in the spring, after being contacted by Helsby Parish Council on residents’ behalf.
