Pedestrian crossing installed on Midland Road

The crossing was installed on Midland Road yesterday (Sunday March 27) not far from the junction with Newtown Road.

Campaigners were eager to test out the new crossing this morning as it marks the end of a four-year battle to provide a safe place for pedestrians with disabilities to cross the road.

There is a pedestrian island closer to the tunnel that leads to Newton Road but no dropped kerb on either pavement making it difficult for those in wheelchairs or with children in pushchairs to use.

Laura Ward, who organised a petition calling for a new crossing back in 2018, said: “This is amazing.

“Both of my parents use mobility scooters and they had to go half a mile down the road, crossing over two junctions, and cross at Lea and Perrins before coming half a mile back.

“There have been times when the scooter battery died and I’ve had to push my mum’s scooter down the road.

The new pedestrian crossing on Midland Road

Former county councillor Paul Denham said he first raised the issue back in 2015 or 2016 but was told it was something that would get done eventually.

He said the pedestrian island near the tunnel was “a dangerous enough place to cross for able-bodied people, let alone those in wheelchairs or with children in pushchairs.”

Cllr Lynn Denham, who represents the Rainbow Hill division on Worcestershire County Council, took up the fight when she was elected in May last year.

“I met with Highways and told them this was my top priority - I asked them what we needed to do to get it done,” she said.

“This is fully disability compliant, there is a refuge island in the middle so people can cross in two stops and a dropped kerb on either side.

“It is a safe distance from the junction, the road has been resurfaced and they are investigating a drainage issue.

“There are lots of celebrations going on here - it’s a very busy route for pedestrians.”

Cllr Denham said the crossing had cost in the region of £15,000 and was paid for out of her Divisional Funds - a discretionary budget given to each county councillor to fund projects within their division.