A COCKERMOUTH town councillor and mum of two is calling for a pedestrian crossing on a busy town road.

Councillor Grace Bennion lives on Riverdale and, like many families, has to cross Lorton Road to get her children to school at All Saints’ Primary School.

“The road is getting busier and it can be dangerous to cross. Families need to feel safer,” said Coun Bennion.

“Everybody should be able to cross the road safely, directly and without delay.”

She raised the issue at the Parish Council annual meeting, calling for the county council to look into it.

“Parents have mentioned the problems they’re having. Lots of kids from Riverdale are crossing Lorton Road to get to school. 

“You want your children to be independent and walk on their own when they’re older - to school or meet with friends - but it doesn’t feel safe at the moment,” said Coun Bennion.

“If you have a buggy and want to get to the Greenway from Riverdale you have to walk all the way down to the former youth hostel or go along the main road.

“I want the town to be more walker friendly and safe.” 

She would like to see a crossing near the cemetery.

“Kirkgate corner and Victoria Road are horrendous too, people there say traffic has increased enormously which makes going across very difficult ,” said Councillor Bennion.

She would also like to see more dropped kerbs around town.

“There’s a real lack of lowered kerbs ,” she said. “I’m frustrated that buggy users are not recognised, it’s such a hassle. I can’t begin to imagine how difficult it is for wheelchair users.”

At the latest parish council meeting Coun Bennion thanked Rebecca Hanson, who recently stood down as a county councillor, for the contributions she had made to better access in town. She told councillors: “We need more dropped kerbs and I think we should pursue with the county council having a pedestrian crossing on Lorton Road.

There’s so much more traffic on it.

Town and county councillor Alan Kennon said: “We shall look at is as best we can. I’m all for crossings but they have to be in the right place.

"There are all sorts of rules and regulations about crossings, this would have to go through the Government.”