People living in Ross Close, Saffron Walden have launched a campaign for a 20mph speed limit to improve road safety.
The 'Twenty is Plenty for Ross Close' calls on Essex Highways to reduce the speed limit and install a zebra crossing by Katherine Semar Primary School.
A petition, which has already received more than 150 signatures, is available to sign on Essex County Council's website at https://cmis.essex.gov.uk/essexcmis5/Petitions/tabid/106/ID/163/20-is-plenty-for-Ross-Close.aspx.
The group recently held a launch event, which was attended by Residents for Uttlesford (R4U) Cllr Paul Gadd.
According to campaigners, Ross Close is a "very busy" road used by families of Katherine Semar pupils as well as users of the Golden Acre Community Centre and Herberts Farm.
The petition states: " There are waiting restrictions outside the school, but since this isn’t enforced then parents have no choice but to cross the road between cars, which everyone knows is a very unsafe practice.
"A formal crossing point would encourage all pedestrians to cross at the safest point and thereby keeping our children safe from harm.
"The road has hundreds of houses with driveways that back directly onto the road, and several other heavily populated roads leading off, creating other dangers to fast moving traffic and pedestrians.
"Currently pedestrians are crossing anywhere along the route (including the blind corners).
"If the agreed zebra crossing was installed then pedestrians would have a safe place to cross and all road users would see, in advance, if the road is clear.
"This also aids parents who are educating their children in road safety - where and when to cross a road."
Resident Becky Oliver, who started the campaign, described the speed of cars in the road, and the lack of crossing, as "incredibly worrying".
Becky runs Tempos Performing Arts, which runs a large number of its classes from the Golden Acre Community Centre, and decided to launch the campaign after speaking with head of Katherine Semar school and other community groups.
She said: "My parked van was hit at high speed a few weeks ago with a large amount of damage being caused - footage was caught on doorbell cameras showing the vehicle travelling at well above 30mph.
"Thankfully only the Tempos van was damaged this time - let's hope we can action some change before a child gets hurt."
The campaigners are asking residents, parents and anyone who uses Ross Close to email any impact statements about the road's safety to RossClose20@hotmail.com.
The petition is available to sign until Thursday, February 29, 2024.
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A spokesperson for Essex Highways said: "Public safety is our number one priority, and we are always looking at ways to introduce effective measures for pedestrians and road users across Essex.
"A zebra crossing scheme was considered on Ross Close. However, after surveying and monitoring the location, there was no evidence of a speeding problem, with an average traffic speed of 16.9mph.
"We are now discussing different measures for this location with the local councillor so that we might pursue an alternative scheme."
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