Calls for a new safe crossing on Wrexham Road in Chester

A petition calling for the installation of a new safe pedestrian crossing on Wrexham Road in Chester was submitted to a meeting of Cheshire West and Chester Council recently.

This follows a campaign which saw over 500 signatures collected.

The petition was co-ordinated by Cllr Razia Daniels, Conservative Councillor for the Handbridge Park Ward, at the request of many concerned residents. In total, 545 residents signed the petition which calls for a pedestrian crossing to be installed on Wrexham Road close to the Jigsaw Nursery and bus stop near Ashgrove.

Presenting the petition, Cllr Razia Daniels said:

“Improvements to road safety in this location are urgently needed and it is very clear that residents in my ward agree. The huge number of people who have signed the petition presented to the Council is testament to that. I am calling for the introduction of a new pavement in this location and the introduction of a new pedestrian crossing – they are both essential.

There are clear safety concerns in this area owing to the speed of cars leaving Chester which are often in excess of the designated speed limit of 40 mph. Although there are crossings in both directions for students going to the Catholic High School and the King’s School, it isn’t possible for the users of the nursery or bus stop to access them as there’s no pavement on their side of the road. The situation is now exacerbated by the increase in traffic and car use as a result of the new Kings Moat Garden Village development.

Alongside my residents, I strongly believe that the provision of a new pedestrian crossing is urgently needed to enable parents pushing a baby in a buggy, for example, to cross this extremely busy road safely.”

Chair of Westminster Park Residents’ Association, Mrs Jennifer Crew, joined Cllr Daniels in presenting the petition to the Council and said:

“Westminster Park Residents’ Association called on the Council to provide a safe crossing at the Jigsaw Nursery on the Wrexham Road over 10 years ago and at the time Highways officers agreed that the road was not safe to cross, but were unable to install one because of a lack of funds. Getting to and from the bus stop and the Nursery on foot is a difficult and dangerous exercise which will only get worse as the number of vehicle journeys originating from the Kings Moat housing development increases.

The Council has benefited from substantial financial contributions (called ‘Section 106’ monies) and New Homes Bonus payments as a result of the development on the Wrexham Road. Surely now is the time to put some of that to use to provide a safe crossing for bus passengers, nursery children and their carers on this dangerous road which will encourage them to walk, cycle and make greater use of public transport?”

Pictured - Razia Daniels and Jennifer Crew.