Last updated at 13:17, Friday, 22 February 2013

An historic footpath which has provided a safe route to school for children in Broughton is at the centre of a safety campaign.

For more than 100 years the path from Kirklea at Little Broughton past Christ Church has been used by children walking to school in Great Broughton.

Concern has grown after a new road was built across the path as part of a Persimmon housing development at Church Meadows. Parents fear that, with no crossing, children are being put at risk.

Kerry Henderson, of Church Meadows, has set up a campaign group on social networking website Facebook. It attracted 200 members in its first 48 hours. The campaign has the backing of Broughton Primary School headteacher Karen Shankland.

Kerry said: “We need signs up to say there’s a path there.

“It’s just going to take a lapse in concentration and it’s going to end up with a death or life-changing injuries. I work as an ambulance technician and I wouldn’t like to think I’d get called out to one of our kids.”

She has contacted Cumbria police and the county council and has been told the issue will be discussed next month.

Kerry and fellow campaign supporter Claire Winter, of Kirklea, attended Broughton Parish Council’s meeting on Tuesday to seek support.

Claire said: “A zebra crossing will alert traffic to the fact that there are people crossing there. This is having a major effect on children walking to school.”

Councillors agreed to write to the county council asking for the results of monitoring.

First published at 13:11, Friday, 22 February 2013
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk