"Please make this dangerous road safer" - Mums call for new crossing on Portsdown Hill Road
Two Portsmouth mums are calling for a new pedestrian crossing on Portsdown Hill Road after seeing schoolchildren “running” across to dodge traffic.
Local mums Stacey Edmonds and Kate Farley have petitioned Portsmouth City Council to install a crossing on the road near the junction with Farlington Avenue.
The spot already has dropped kerbs, linking the bus stops on either side of the road. But locals say it’s become risky for pupils trying to get to and from buses.
In her petition, Ms Edmonds said: “With buses stopping there, numerous students, including my own child, must navigate this perilous crossing. Without a dedicated pedestrian crossing, these young people are left with no choice but to run across the busy road, hoping they don’t get hit by oncoming traffic.
“I have personally witnessed the struggle parents endure while crossing with young children and pushchairs in tow. On several occasions, I have seen children almost stumble, and pushchairs nearly tip over as they dart across the road.”
She added that pupils from Purbrook Park and Oaklands schools use the stops, including her own son who now has to be driven there as it’s too dangerous to cross alone.
“The implementation of a crossing here would be an actionable and realistic solution. It is not just a want, but a need, for the safety and well-being of our community.”
The petition, which has more than 750 online signatures and a further 370 on paper, calls on the council to act. Residents can sign online at Change.org or visit the Drayton Centre or Bar Aroma on Havant Road.
“We’re calling on Portsmouth City Council to prioritise the installation of a pedestrian crossing on Portsdown Hill Road, at the dropped kerb near the top of Farlington Avenue by these bus stops,” she said.
“This small infrastructure improvement will have a significant impact on the daily lives of students, parents, and the community as a whole.”
Portsmouth North MP Amanda Martin said: “I fully support Stacey and Kate in their campaign for a crossing. I joined them going door-to-door to get signatures and heard directly from residents about how dangerous this stretch of road has become. Their campaign for a safe pedestrian crossing on Portsdown Hill Road is both sensible and urgently needed.
“This is about protecting families, schoolchildren and our wider community. I’m proud to stand alongside them and I encourage everyone to add their name to the petition and help make this change happen.”
Portsmouth City Council said it will monitor the area to see if a crossing is justified, checking how many people use the bus stops and how busy the traffic is.