Calls for improved safety at 'dangerous' junction

Councillor Ross Irving, MP Jack Brereton, campaigner Craig Royce and councillor Finlay Gordon-McCusker met to review the crossing

More than 1,000 people have backed calls for a four-way push button crossing at a "dangerous" junction.

The junction of Parkhall Road and Caverswall Road with Weston Road, in Weston Coyney, Stoke-on-Trent, currently gives less than four seconds to cross the road.

Many residents have labelled the crossing dangerous due to the amount of traffic and limited time to get across.

Craig Royce, who organised the petition, has three small children and said he dreaded using the junction.

“I fear for their safety,” he said.

In December, pedestrian Robert Bown , 33, died after he was hit by a car near the junction.

A 14-year-old boy was killed after being hit by a car in 2013 and a 16-year-old died after being fatally hurt in a crash involving a scooter and a car in 2011.

Mr Royce has met with councillors and transport officers from Stoke-on-Trent City Council to discuss the matter.

Councillor Amjid Wazir, campaigner Craig Royce and Labour candidate Allison Gardner met to discuss the petition

Conservative MP Jack Brereton as well as Labour candidate Allison Gardner are backing the petition.

“Given the number of people who have already signed the petition and following our meeting I know how important this is for people locally who struggle to navigate this busy junction," Mr Brereton said.

Ms Gardner commented: “I know this crossing well and we really do need a pedestrian crossing here."

The petition will be debated at a full council meeting but ahead of this the council is said to be considering changing the timer on the crossing to give people more time to cross the road.

Stoke-on-Trent City Council has been contacted for a comment.

This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service which covers councils and other public service organisations.