A CONCERNED parent has launched a petition to have a crossing added to an 'unsafe' Kidderminster road.

With a park, chip shop, corner shop, family pub, and primary schools surrounding the Stourbridge Road nearly half of the Broadwaters residents said they did not feel safe crossing the fast, busy road during the day or early evening.

Steve Walker said having witnessed what he described as safety concerns on the road, which includes drivers speeding along the 30 mph road to and from the 50 mph limit in and out of Wolverley and those driving too fast down the two hills out of Kidderminster town centre, he is campaigning to have a pelican crossing implemented.

"Improving safety for the parents and children of Broadwaters is a major concern as the main issue that makes Broadwaters 'unsafe' is the excessive speed of the majority of the traffic using the Stourbridge Road. Even though we have a speed camera, everyone knows it's there and slows down by it then they speed up again or coming down from the Horsefair or Chester Road," he said.

Mr Walker is pressing Worcestershire County Councillors, who are responsible for highways across the county, to instigate a pelican crossing - a type of pedestrian crossing featuring a pair of poles each with a standard set of traffic lights facing oncoming traffic, a push button and two illuminated, coloured pictograms facing the pedestrian from across the road indicating when it is safe to cross - just below Sion Hill or by the Hare and Hound pub.

"It's about time the 30 mph speed limit was enforced right along it and, for safety reasons, we must try and put this pelican crossing in as soon as possible to prevent a death or serious injury as the local people need somewhere to cross safely and to not have to dodge traffic," Mr Walker added.

The campaigner is asking residents to sign his petition for the pelican crossing in Broadwaters which will then be handed in to the county council for consideration.

A spokesperson for Worcestershire County Council said: "The county council welcomes feedback from residents. As with all petitions, we will review this once it is received and respond accordingly."

Anyone wishing to sign or for more information, email Mr Walker on stevenw827@aol.com.