Petition for crossing at busy Stoke-on-Trent junction

A petition calling for a four way push button pedestrian crossing to be installed at a busy Stoke-on-Trent junction has been signed by more than 1000 people. The junction where Parkhall Road and Caverswall Road meet Weston Road currently allows less than four seconds to cross the road.

The busy junction currently has dropped curbs for residents to cross the road to access the nearby shops or primary school. However due to the amount of traffic and limited time to cross the road many residents have labelled the crossing as dangerous. 

Petition organiser Craig Royce who lives in Parkhall said: “I live within Parkhall and have three small children and I dread using this junction with them as I fear for their safety. I’ve had a lot of feedback from individuals from the community expressing their concerns for their safety at this junction too.

“I believe this is a reasonable measure to introduce on this junction to ensure the future safety of everyone using it.

“I greatly appreciate the support shown for this campaign, not only from our local community, but from many people across Stoke-on-Trent, following the tragic RTC just before Christmas 2023 where a close friend of many from the Caverswall Cricket Club and Weston Coyney area sadly lost his life.”

So far Craig has met with Councillors Amjid Wazir and Finlay Gordon-McCusker and transport officers from the council to discuss the safety issues at the junction. Local MP Jack Brereton and Labour candidate for Stoke-on-Trent South Allison Gardner are both backing the petition. 

Labour candidate Allison Gardner commented: “I have been talking to many residents over the past few weeks and issues with road safety is constantly being brought up. I am currently looking into several issues across the constituency.

“I know this crossing well and we really do need a pedestrian crossing here. We cannot risk another life lost and a devastated family and community left behind. 

“Craig has been outstanding in achieving over 1000 signatures already and I will be with him and the community when we present it to Full Council. His campaign will stop more lives being tragically lost.”

As the petition has been signed by over 1000 people it is set to be debated at a full council meeting. A meeting at the problem junction has been held between Craig, Jack Brereton, local ward councillor Ross Irving and a highways officer from Stoke-on-Trent City Council where discussion over what could be done prior the the petition being presented to the council could take place, one measure on the table is to extend the timer which lights are on red which would allow more time to cross the road.

Jack Brereton MP said: “I am pleased to support this important petition for a pedestrian crossing system at the crossroads in Weston Coyney. Given the number of people who have already signed the petition and following our meeting I know how important this is for people locally who struggle to navigating this busy junction.

“I commend Craig Royce who has launched the petition to Stoke-on-Trent City Council, these safety improvements are vital given some of the horrific incidents which have occurred in the past.

“I look forward to working with local residents and Councillors Ross Irving and Craig Beardmore to ensure this junction is prioritised for safety improvements.”