CALLS have been made for a crossing to be installed on a busy city centre road which is used as a “rat run” by drivers.
Wylds Lane was described as dangerous by the area’s councillors who were responding to pleas from the majority of the road’s residents who want traffic calming measures put in place.
With Stanley Road Primary School, Fort Royal Community Primary School and Newbridge Secondary school all in close proximity Coun Lynn Denham, representing the Cathedral ward, raised concerns about safety with the road used as a cut through from London Road to Shrub Hill.
“It is difficult for drivers to see children who step out from between parked cars, which is very dangerous,” she said.
“Local mums have also told me that cars are parked so closely together crossing with a pushchair is very difficult.”
Coun Jabba Riaz added he had personal experience of just how dangerous the road could be.
“I was myself injured while crossing Wylds Lane as a child, so I have wanted a pedestrian crossing here for a long time,” he said.
The Cathedral councillors undertook a survey with residents to gauge their worries and almost half of people said they would walk more often if a safe pedestrian crossing was installed.
Other concerns included parking problems, speeding traffic and heavy lorries.
Worcestershire County Councillor Paul Denham said he had raised these issues with the county council but highways officers have responded that there are ‘no easy answers’ due to the Wylds Lane layout.
A small amount of funding has been secured by the councillors from previous developments to improve the pedestrian conditions.
