At last – we may get our A47 crossing
Parish Councillors Ewan Miller (left) and Mick Porter are campaigning for a pedestrian crossing on the A47 at Middleton. www.lynnnews.co.uk/buyaphoto
A VILLAGE’S fight for a safe pedestrian crossing along the busy A47 could be a step closer to reality.
Middleton Parish Council has welcomed news that the Highways Agency has agreed to fund a design project on a possible pedestrian crossing in the village.
Many parents and elderly residents are unwilling to walk to the school or church because there is no safe crossing point on the A47, which cuts through the village.
The council has been campaigning for more than five years to get something done on the road but the village has not been classed as a priority as there have not been enough accidents.
Council chairman Mark Fuller said: “We are delighted at the decision to fund the design work for the crossing in the current financial year.
“Whilst we recognise that funding for the full project is not yet available we believe that this demonstrates a firm commitment that the crossing will be built.
“The difficulties of safely crossing the A47 cause daily problems for our residents in accessing village amenities and have generated a powerful sense of a divided community.”
The council would like to get a crossing installed opposite Total Motors and close to the Station Road junction. It is near the Middleton Primary School and St Mary’s church.
North West Norfolk MP Henry Bellingham received a letter from under secretary Mike Penning, which stated that the scheme remains a priority and will be considered as soon as possible.
Mr Bellingham said: “For a long time it seemed that, in spite of tireless efforts by the Parish Council, Department for Transport officials really were not taking this problem seriously.
“However, I am delighted that the transport minister has now personally got involved, and I will certainly be doing all I can to make sure he sees this through.”
A Highways Agency spokesman said: “We can confirm that we will be progressing design work this financial year on a proposed pedestrian crossing on the A47 at Middleton in Norfolk.
“Work to install the crossing will take place in the future subject to funding being available.”
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for King's Lynn
Monday 28 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 10 C to 24 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: North
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 9 C to 16 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: North east
