Call for safety barrier between A-road and pathway

Villagers say the footpath is unsafe because there is no barrier protecting cyclists and pedestrians from traffic on the dual carriageway

Villagers are campaigning for a crash barrier to protect walkers and cyclists from traffic on a dual carriageway.

The A47 between Gorleston and Hopton-on-Sea has a combined footpath and cycleway next to the southbound lanes.

But residents in Hopton - who claim the path is too dangerous for many to use - want the path made safer.

National Highways said the road had not been identified as a "collision cluster" within a network review.

Carole Wall runs the Hopton Residents Facebook page and says hundreds of people have said the path is dangerous

Carole Wall, 53, and her husband run the Hopton Residents Facebook page, where villagers have called for improvements.

She said residents had a "love-hate relationship" with the path, given its convenience but serious safety concerns.

"My husband wrote an email last year to National Highways and they replied back saying unless there is a cluster of incidences, there is nothing they are going to do," she said.

"So, what? We need a cluster of problems, a cluster of accidents, for someone to do something. That's really sad."

Julian Canham says he has given up using the path because he does not feel safe

Julian Canham, 63, said he no longer used the path due to recent fatalities.

"I've lived in the village for 18 years. You see the speed of the traffic and if they're approaching 70 that's slow; and some people really go for it," he said.

"I often see school children on the way to school in Gorleston and they wouldn't stand a chance if there was another road traffic accident like there has been here."

Dale Halladay has a visual impairment and says the danger of using the path has forced him and his wife to use their car more

Dale Halladay, 60, added: "My wife and I used to walk to Gorleston on a regular basis, but we are being forced into our cars.

"I like to cycle. I can't cycle alone because of sight loss, and my wife needs to keep an eye on me. I don't like to [use the path] now."

In a statement, National Highways said: "We constantly monitor the network, including the A47 at this location, to look at parts of the network which have higher than average collision rates, as well as monitoring collision cluster sites.

"This enables us to investigate any improvement measures, which are then prioritised for funding, with a focus on reducing high severity casualties on the network.

"Currently this location has not been identified as a collision cluster within the current network review and the junction has not been identified for improvements.

"We'll continue to monitor the network to ensure we identify any developing trends."