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National
James Robinson

Campaigners demand safe crossing before someone is killed on Morpeth Bypass

Campaigners are calling for the installation of a safe crossing on Morpeth Bypass, warning it is only a "matter of time" before someone is killed.

A petition set up by Morpeth resident Vicky Oakley called on the county council to build a safe crossing on the Morpeth Northern Bypass close to the roundabout at Northgate Hospital.

The petition, signed by more than 230 residents, states that families and children are "at risk on a daily basis" as they attempt to cross the road.

Read more: Proposed pedestrian crossing to popular country park deemed unsafe

At Monday's meeting of the Castle Morpeth Local Area Committee, Mrs Oakley presented her report to councillors and said the issue was only going to get worse over time.

She said: "The request is supported by residents, Hebron Parish Council and Northgate Hospital. Parents have come to me and many think it is a matter of time before something fatal happens.

"There are two large estates and the population of the hospital who use that crossing. This problem is only going to get worse.

"We know the damage a car can do at 40mph, never mind 60mph. Parents felt nobody cared, this petition is so their voice can be heard. It needs to be a safe crossing and currently it is not."

Do you think there should be a safer crossing on this road? Let us know in the comments

Neil Snowdon, the council's principal highways programme officer, said officers would carry out work to determine what could be done about the issue.

He said: "We are going to carry out a safe routes to school assessment to identify any potential improvements and any additional signage and we are considering a reduced speed limit.

"We hope for that assessment to be carried out before the summer holidays. Once that's done we will be able to feed back with any potential solutions."

The area's ward councillor, Barry Towns, felt the issue should have been identified during the design of the road and said he supported the petition.

Coun Towns said: "When the bypass was designed I'm not convinced sufficient thought was given to the fact that this area was being considered for housing. I'm no expert but that's my guess.

"It has taken far too long to get to this point. I encouraged and supported this petition to get some action on it.

"I'm not convinced a pedestrian crossing would make it safer - it may make it less safe. It's a large roundabout and cars speed up on it. The danger is any traffic leaving the roundabout."

Members agreed that the officer's report into any potential solution should be brought back to a future meeting.

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