Renewed call for crossing on Bramley road where girl was seriously injured

Rachel Carter with daughter Skyla who is petitioning for a new crossing on the busy Flash Lane ant Bramley. 220513-1

Frustrated Rachel Carter sent a petition to Rotherham Council calling for a zebra crossing at Flash Lane in Bramley.

RMBC had been given £10,000 towards the cost when Ben Bailey built homes on the Progress Drive estate 17 years ago.

But the council later shelved the crossing idea — saying Flash Lane was not busy enough — and a suggestion of speed bumps was unpopular because of the £45,000 cost.

Rachel (34) said: “I’ve lived in Bramley all my life. The house I grew up in is now the house I own.

“Since I’ve grown up around here, I know of all the housing developments which have been erected.

“There’s new houses on Progress Drive, more added on the Broadlands estate, not including the new development happening in Ravenfield, where another 320 houses are going to be built, as well as the warehouse development on Cumwell Lane.

“Taking into consideration an average, each house has at least two cars, the Ravenfield site alone will have 640-plus cars around the area.”

Rachel, who collected 66 signatures on her petition, said the addition of a pedestrian crossing would make a “huge” difference to many residents.

She added: “A variety of different people, such as families, children, teenagers, dog-walkers and the elderly, all use this road to cross to the Bill Chafer building or Morrisons.

“At times, I’ve had to stand on the side of the road for ten minutes waiting to cross with my daughter due to it being so busy.

“Although there’s a 30mph limit and light-up sign warning people, many ignore this and continue to speed.

“By providing a zebra crossing, it will encourage more people to walk as they will feel safe. It will make cars stop for pedestrians. It will also help slow cars down along the road.

“It will be very well-used and appreciated by everyone. It will make a huge difference to everybody’s lives just be being able to to cross the road safely.”

RMBC ward members Cllr Lewis Mills and Greg Reynolds have backed Rachel’s cause, with the latter presenting the petition at the last full council meeting.

The council said Paul Woodcock, director of regeneration and environment, would respond to the call.

A previous petition in 2020 followed an incident in which a 12-year-old girl suffered a broken pelvis when she was knocked down at Flash Lane while walking home from school.