1,400 call for crossing on "incredibly dangerous" Kilnhurst road

Dennise Young, manager and owner of Youngsters Day Nursery & After School Club in Kilnhurst, said there had been a huge response to the campaign.

The petition — with 1,379 names — calls for the zebra crossing at Victoria Street to be upgraded to a pelican crossing.

Mrs Young said: “Every person that we asked had a tale to tell about the crossing. 

“This road runs through the centre of our village with children’s playgrounds on each side.

“The children can’t get to or from school without crossing this road and we have a significant number of elderly people who need to cross to get to the bus stop or local shop.”

The day nursery is based at Kilnhurst Resource Centre, which is close to the crossing point.

Mrs Young said: “There have been a number of accidents over the years. I have actually attended three incidents in three years personally, of children who have been knocked down. It’s an incredibly dangerous road.

“The traffic has built up tremendously in volume and speed and they take no notice of pedestrians standing at the crossing. It’s impossible to know when to cross safely.

“We already have sleeping policemen on this road but we need a pedestrian-controlled crossing.”

Cllr Ken Wyatt, Swinton ward member of Rotherham Borough Council, noted that the petition signatures were collected mostly in person, rather than relying on online clicks.

He added: “It has been done in the traditional way by pen, by paper, by shoe-leather and by talking to people.

“There are so many petitions nowadays where you get the request online and it’s just a tick.

“But this was done in the traditional method which I think that reflects the level of interest and concern.”

The petition was presented at last week’s full council meeting and referred to the overview and scrutiny management board for consideration.