Many children use the road to get to two well-known city schools
Children are said to be ‘dashing’ across Uttoxeter Old Road when walking to and from school(Image: Derbyshire Live)
Improvements will be made to a ‘dangerous’ Derby road where children are ‘running for their dear lives’ to cross it.
A Derby City Council report states it has secured a six-figure sum to install a new pedestrian crossing on Uttoxeter Old Road after years of campaigning.
Action is being taken following complaints from residents and councillors about road safety problems in the area. It is expected that the crossing will be installed near the junction with Parcel Terrace.
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Calls were made at the end of 2024 to make safety improvements on the busy stretch of the road near the city centre.
Children use it to walk to either Bemrose School or Derby Cathedral School. But the road is often busy due to it being close to both sides of the city centre.
Mackworth and New Zealand councillor Ndukwe Onuoha (Lab) said he had seen “children running for their dear lives” to get across the busy road to and from school as cars passed.
Residents have welcomed plans for a new crossing in the area, with one calling the road ‘terrible’ for pedestrians.
One woman, who lives nearby in Granville Street and asked not to be named, said she was often worried when walking with her baby’s pram.
She said: “It’s dangerous, 100 percent. Especially at rush hour. I’ve seen children dashing to get across or having to wait around 15 minutes until it’s clear.
Money has been secured for safety improvements on the busy road(Image: Derbyshire Live)
“A new crossing will be frustrating for motorists as it may cause delays but it is going to be a lot safer.”
The crossing is set to cost around £146,000, with funding being provided to the council from the East Midlands Combined Authority.
Leading Derby city councillors are set to meet to accept the funding and to add the improvement scheme to their upcoming capital projects.
One man, who works in Uttoxeter Old Road, said: “It’s just so busy – it’s terrible for crossing. The children need something definitely as it is difficult to get across Parcel Terrace.”
Another resident living nearby said she found it difficult to cross the road when catching the bus.
Councillor Onuoha said on his Facebook page: “After campaigning since 2023 for a safer crossing on Uttoxeter Old Road, particularly for children travelling to and from school from the New Zealand area, I’m pleased to share that £146,000 in funding has been secured for a new controlled pedestrian crossing at Uttoxeter Old Road/Parcel Terrace.
“This is a big step forward for road safety in our community, and I’ll keep residents updated as the project progresses.”
The same amount of funding has also been allocated to council leaders for a new crossing on Duffield Road at the West Bank Avenue junction.
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