Concerns raised for pedestrian safety amid Grimston Road path closure

“I’m concerned for my residents’ safety,” were the words of a councillor as a pathway down a key road was closed off while works to a new roundabout took place.

Works are currently being undertaken along the A148 Grimston Road, which involves constructing a new roundabout needed for a 600-home development at Knights Hill.

While the works are taking place, temporary traffic lights are up and a verge used by pedestrians to walk alongside the road is closed until the end of January next year while work is being carried out.

However, once the work is completed, a new footpath should also be completed.

West Norfolk councillor Richard Coates, who represents the Woottons Ward, expressed his concerns for pedestrians who regularly use the path.

The pathway is used by residents, mainly to access the Knights Hill complex and farm shop, but is not formally classified by Norfolk County Council Highways as a footpath - meaning they do not have to offer an alternative pathway while works are carried out.

Cllr Coates said: “I am concerned for my residents’ safety. I think there should be more urgency about this.

“I could see a bad accident happening there.”

Cllr Coates was told by a site agent that, as it isn’t a formal footpath, they had no responsibility to provide any facility for pedestrians using the road.

Cllr Coates said: “The informal footpath was frequently used and well worn. Having pedestrians sharing Grimston Road with traffic is asking for trouble.

“There are not many pedestrians that use Grimston Road, but their lives are very important.”

County councillor for the Freebridge Lynn division Simon Ring has urged pedestrians who regularly use the verge to find an alternative route until the work is completed.

Cllr Ring said: “Not recognising this verge as a footpath and formally adopting it with a proper path construction, is, in my opinion, a long-standing failing of Norfolk County Council Highways.

“As part of the s278 agreement created as part of the planning approval, a new footpath will be completed by the developer.

“I too am greatly concerned about the safety of the pedestrians who use the verge along Grimston Road.

“During the road works to create the new roundabout, which will provide access to the housing development, there will be only limited pedestrian access through the roadworks.

“This will clearly inconvenience people who have hitherto walked along this verge to and from the Knights Hill Hotel complex and the Farm Shop, for both work and use.

“Norfolk County Council Highways has assured me that it will keep the businesses at Knights Hill informed of the closure activities and the access for pedestrians.”