CAMPAIGNERS are calling for safety improvements to a “dangerous” major road in Kinver.

More than 183 residents have signed David Viner’s petition calling for measures to be put in place to keep pedestrians and cyclists safe on Church Hill.

Calls have been made to reduce the road’s 30mph speed limit to 20mph, as well as installing signs on the road, which at some points is very narrow and without pavements, to warn motorists about pedestrians walking on the road.

Mr Viner, a Kinver resident and lead safety campaigner, said: “Church Hill is such a dangerous road to pedestrians and cyclists because it is so narrow.

“A number of people have been caught by cars while walking up the road and most of us in the village know about the time Mrs Holmes broke her leg when she was hit.

“On several occasions my wife has had her bags clipped by passing vehicles, and others we have spoken to have also had near misses, especially mothers who have to push prams up the road.

“We have spoken to almost all of the residents on Church Hill and many around the area who want the safety measures to be put in place.

“I spoke to councillors at a Parish Council meeting about the campaign, but didn’t get the support I had hoped, but with the help of Councillor Brian Edwards, hopefully Staffordshire County Council’s highways department will see sense.”

Another measure the campaigners want to see put in place is some form of pedestrian lane marking to be installed between Dark Lane and Mill Lane with a safe crossing place half way up the road.

Cllr Brian Edwards, parish, district and county councillor, said: “I have been talking to David Viner about the proposals and the matter has been passed on to the county council’s highways department.

“Budgets are very tight at the moment, but they are looking at the lower part of Church Hill and we have put our ideas forward to the county council.

“I would like them to look at creating a lane where pedestrians could walk up one side, install a crossing at a certain point and then have another walking lane up the other side.

“We are also quite hopeful that we can have some kind of warning signs put in place to make drivers aware of pedestrians walking on the road.

“That is still in the pipeline and are still awaiting answers from highways on that, but I doubt we can get the 30mph speed limit down to 20mph.”

A survey of Church Hill was carried out by the county council recently, with Cllr Mark Deaville, cabinet member for highways, saying the council is looking into the feasibility of improved signage on the road.

He added: “We have received the petition and are currently investigating this matter, along with the local county councillor Brian Edwards.

“We have carried out a recent survey and are looking to provide additional signs and will continue to monitor the situation.”

Mr Viner said he “remains hopeful” of a positive outcome, especially after a recent meeting with Kinver’s MP Gavin Williamson.

He added: “I made Gavin aware of the campaign with a view to him supporting Cllr Edwards.

“Gavin seems to know Church Hill well from the point of view of walking along the road himself and said he would write to Mark Keeling, of Staffordshire Highways Community Road Safety.”