Mum calls for crossing (From Stroud News and Journal)

Mum calls for crossing

THE MOTHER of a seven-year-old who was hit by a car in Bussage has added her voice to those of parish leaders in calling for a pedestrian crossing.

Bussage Primary School pupil Dorothy Palmer was knocked on the evening of Tuesday, November 8 as she crossed Tanglewood Way near the Tesco Express store.

"Something must be done before somebody is killed," said mother of three, Caroline Palmer. "The problem is that there are no crossings in the area and I blame the county council for that."

Bussage Resident Mrs Palmer, 37, was called to the scene shortly after the collision occurred in which Dorothy lost two front teeth and sustained a cut across her forehead.

Dorothy was taken to Gloucestershire Royal Hospital by Ambulance where she spent the night. "My other daughter Michelle ran home and said 'a car has hit Dorothy'," said Mrs Palmer.

"She was lying on the floor crying and bleeding and a woman from Tesco was holding her hand. This could happen to anyone - old people or people going to school in the morning.

"All it needs is a fast car who doesn't respect people walking on the street. If we had a crossing maybe things would be different."

Mrs Palmer is now taking extra precautions to ensure the safety of her children. "They are not going anywhere alone now, if they want to go and play with friends I will take them."

As reported in last week's SNJ, members of Chalford Parish Council fear a more serious incident may be occur if action is not taken very soon.

County council highways chiefs have earmarked money from next year's budget for a crossing on Tanglewood Way after the need was established 12-18 months ago. But it is not guaranteed to go ahead as the construction work remains subject to approval by the county council cabinet.