People say a busy Stapleford road is in "desperate need" of a pedestrian crossing. Plans are for the crossing to be put in on Pasture Road, outside of Albany Junior School.
Councillors Richard and Donna MacRae started the petition, which has gained more than 220 signatures in the last week. Mr MacRae says that the crossing would not just be for kids going to and from school, but for the whole community.
Pasture Road runs all the way from the junction with Hickings Lane up to Trowell - and Mr MacRae says that there is "not a single [pedestrian] crossing on the road." The pair have been at the school looking to for parents' support.
Read more: Nottingham nurses share why they are striking as historic NHS walkout takes place
Richard MacRae, independent party member and ward for Stapleford North, said: "We've needed one of these for a long time. Several years ago now there was a local lady, Kerry Blakemore, she did a petition which was supported by the school - that raised nearly 1000 names.
"But it turned out the residents didn't want it so it didn't happen in the end. But we do need one on the road, it just needs to be at the right location.
"In my eyes there should be a crossing because one was agreed several years ago. The needs got more since then too.
"We need to make the road safer. It's busier as well.
"More people are working from home which means more people are in the area. More people have got cars as well.
"So we need to make it safer for everybody. And of course the kids going to and from school.
But not just the kids - it's everybody else as well. It's one of the main roads going in and out of Stapleford.
"People use it to go to the church, to the shops, they use it to take their kids to school. So it's not just a school thing, it's used by the community all the time.
"We just need to make it safer for people. The main thing is getting the crossing.
"We're trying to get signatures now. I was down the school yesterday and the school support it."
Albany Junior School are also behind the scheme. Click here to have a read of the petition.
He continued: "It's really nice that the school are behind it. They know the importance of safety to kids - we don't want to see anybody getting run over.
"We just want to make it as safe as possible. We've got a school crossing patrol and she does a fantastic job.
"She's well-loved by the kids. But you need to even make it safe for her.
"Unfortunately you've got a small element of people, and this is not just in Stapleford, but you've got people who, and I've always said this, if the school gates were wide enough they'd drive their cars into the playground to drop their kids off. So there's always got to be some element of responsibility when you're dropping the kids to school.
"We desperately need it."
The petition reads: "We are asking Nottinghamshire County Council as the Highways Authority to install a much needed Pedestrian Crossing on Pasture Road, Stapleford. There are many schemes currently being considered for Stapleford and we are signing this petition as we believe a Pedestrian Crossing on Pasture Road, Stapleford should also be included.
"This petition has been created by Stapleford North Ward Councillors Richard MacRae and Donna MacRae and will be sent to Nottinghamshire County Council asking that one of the County Councillors presents this petition to Full Council at Nottinghamshire County Council as the Highways Authority for consideration."
Nottinghamshire County Council are awaiting to receive the petition.
Gary Wood, Head of Highways and Transport, said: “We await receiving the petition about installing a crossing on Pasture Road in Stapleford. Requests for new highways measures including requesting a new crossing can be made through our website, and once submitted, a member of our team will be in touch to discuss this in more detail. https://www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/transport/roads/make-a-new-highways-request
“Once received, this petition will be considered by the Cabinet Member for Transport and Environment. Our annual programme of highways investment includes funding for measures including pedestrian crossing improvements across Nottinghamshire.”
READ NEXT:
Nottingham nursery celebrates second 'Outstanding' grading by Ofsted
Greenwood Academies Trust CEO shares plans for 2023 as more schools join the group
Nottinghamshire school to install CCTV cameras in pupils’ toilets to 'reduce vandalism'
Vast scale of project for Bramcote College rebuild as plan approved
