‘We’ve been betrayed’

Work was carried out last week to put two dropped kerbs in either side of the road close to the Canch play area, prompting fears the £50,000 traffic calming measures included in the capital programme had been completed.

County councillor for Worksop West Kevin Greaves said the council had promised it would install a ‘build out’ - reducing traffic to a single line of vehicles.

“What they have done is completely inadequate to our requirements and keeping children safe,” he said.

“A build out was agreed to but that hasn’t been done. Two dropped kerbs are not traffic calming. What are they meant to do?”

“Children’s lives are at risk. There will be an accident one day - the council is putting money before children’s safety.”

He added: “I thought it was work in progress but there aren’t even any signs. We have been betrayed and Bassetlaw has been neglected again.”

Calls for safety measures to be put in place on Priorswell Road seemed to be addressed in March when the council included plans for improvements to be made within the next financial year.

More than 500 people signed a petition emphasising the need for crossings and warning signs to prevent drivers from speeding.

Campaigners calling for a pedestrian island between lanes were rejected by the Highways Department because it is believed the road isn’t wide enough.

Bracebridge resident Geoff Coe organised the petition after walking his grandchildren to the park.

“I could see the danger and it frightened me,” he said.

“Cars were coming from all directions and kids were dashing about, excited about getting to the park.”

Mr Coe said he was ‘disappointed’ the measures would not be in place in time for this year’s summer break.

“I’m worried it’s going to be forgotten about,” he added.

But Notts County Council maintains there is work yet to be done. Preliminary drawings indicate there will be a marked crossing on a raised stretch of road and signs on either side.

A Notts County Council spokesman said: “The first phase of improvements to the pedestrian crossing facility on Priorswell Road have recently been completed.”

“Development of potential traffic calming at this location continues as such measures require a more detailed design and consultation process.”

Councillor Richard Jackson, Cabinet Member for Transport and Highways at Notts County Council, was unavailable for comment as the Worksop Guardian went to press.