A county councillor has called on developers to provide a connection between a town and a new housing estate by foot to stop pedestrians being forced to take an unsafe route along a busy main road.
Persimmon are currently building the Fairways Estate near Cramlington, with several other housing developers also working on nearby estates that will significantly increase the size of the town.
However, homeowners who have moved into the Fairways currently have no safe access to the town - rather than being able to walk into Cramlington to the east, pedestrians must first go up Fisher Lane before taking Station Road into the town.
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Fisher Lane is part of the A1068 dual carriageway and does not have a designated footpath, while the A1172 into town is similarly unsafe. The area's ward councillor, Coun Barry Flux, has called on the developers to do something.
He said: "It is clear to me that the planning application, approved many years ago under a previous administration is inadequate. This area needs to be connected to the wider Cramlington area as soon as possible so residents can access the wider town, so young people can get to school, use local parks and so all residents at The Fairways are not stuck on an isolated land island
"I have had recent conversations with council officers about a connecting path. I understand that recent contact between the council and developers has been positive, however it is action that is wanted.
"‘I will continue to do everything within my power as a local ward councillor to argue that safe and appropriate connections come to this area as swiftly as possible. This is the very least residents at The Fairways deserve.
"The route into town is not particularly safe and there are not side paths there. It's not designed for walkers, it is a main road.
"There needs to be a connection, but the land isn't owned by the council so we're limited in what we can do. If the developers can do something I would be very happy but it is out of my hands.
"I will do what I can. Residents are very upset about this."
Responding to Coun Flux's comments, a Persimmon Homes North East spokesperson said: “ The Fairways development is being developed alongside our partners Bellway Homes. Phase one is nearing completion and has proved hugely popular with local home buyers with demand exceeding supply.
“Construction of The Fairways, including timeframes for the delivery of associated infrastructure and connectivity to the wider Cramlington area is progressing in accordance with the development principles agreed with Northumberland County Council.
“Work on phase two has now commenced following the granting of further planning approvals by the Council and we are sure that this will prove just as popular with homebuyers as phase one.”
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