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Residents’ safety fears as Cross Borough Link Road is set to open

Posted on - 29th October, 2019 - 3:44pm | Author - | Posted in - Penwortham, Preston News, Transport, Walton-le-Dale
Work on The Cawsey, off Leyland Road Pic: Central Lancashire Plannezine
Work on The Cawsey, off Leyland Road Pic: Central Lancashire Plannezine

Residents have said they are concerned about the safety of a new road linking Penwortham to Walton-le-Dale when it opens next week.

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The Cross Borough Link Road, which runs between The Cawsey/Leyland Road in Penwortham and Carrwood Road, Walton-le-Dale, is part of a development by Morris Homes, which is building 280 new homes in the area.

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The scheme is intended to open up the area to provide better access to schools and amenities for residents in South Ribble.

But neighbours living close to the road say they have safety fears ahead of it being opened.

Read more: Penwortham and Walton-le-Dale link road work pushes ahead

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Kathryn Young, who lives in Walton Park, said: “As yet we’ve not seen the promised extended footpath from Tram Road to Clough Avenue, there are also no crossings or traffic calming measures in place on the Walton Park side as promised.”

David Ingram, who also lives in Walton Park, said: “The pavement has not been extended on both sides of the road right up to the A6 roundabout.

“Walkers to the local supermarket will be forced to cross a busy road on multiple occasions, as there are no crossings anywhere on the road.  

“It is essential that the pavements are extended otherwise I fear a serious accident. The road cuts through a popular cycle route and pathway, the Old Tram Road, ultimately joining the Guild Wheel a mile further down, which children, cyclists and pedestrians are accustomed to crossing without concern of fast moving traffic.

“It is absolutely essential that a pelican crossing or similar is established here to avoid accidents.”

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Read more: Leyland Road widening work underway as bypass draws nearer

County Councillor Joan Burrows has shared the residents’ concerns with Highways Officers at Lancashire County Council.

She said: “Following the adoption, the link road, will be subject to a 30mph speed limit and is located within an area already covered by a 17 tonne environmental weight restriction.

“Officers tell me that these measures will help ensure vehicle speeds through the area reflect the residential nature of the setting and that commercial traffic stays on the strategic road network away from this road.

“Hopefully by improving connections between the communities of Walton le Dale and Penwortham they will both continue to thrive and the accessibility between them, access to local amenities, parks and clubs as well as schools and businesses, will be welcomed and increased. 

“I have had a number of residents, from the Walton le Dale side, who tell me how much easier it will be to get their children to the schools that they attend in Penwortham and access to Penwortham leisure facilities and shops.

“Similar views have been expressed from Penwortham residents wanting to access amenities in Walton le Dale.”

Addressing safety concerns raised, Cllr Burrows said: “A number of traffic management changes have been identified for Carrwood Road and these will come forward following the road opening.

“These changes will include the provision of continuous footpaths alongside the road, traffic islands, a pedestrian crossing and the cutting back of some roadside vegetation.

“At this moment in time Lancashire County Council is working with South Ribble Borough Council with the aim of providing the finance and so introducing these changes to the road over the coming months.”

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Mr Ingram said: “It just seems strange that there is recognition that there are safety issues that need to be attended to, but that these have not been addressed prior to the road opening.

“There has been plenty of time to sort this out.  It’s unfortunate now that the road appears to be ready to open in the week the clocks go back and the nights are getting longer without these in place.”

Are you concerned about safety on the new Link Road? Or will it be a useful route for you? Let us know in the comments section.

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