Campaigner calls for improved pedestrian connections from housing estate to Cramlington

Charlotte LaPrade says residents of the Fairways and Arcot Manor cannot walk into the town centre of even to the nearby Snowy Owl Pub and the Northumberlandia landmark due to a lack of footpaths.

She is calling for a footpath along the A1068 which would allow safe access to Northumberlandia, the pub and a hairdressers.

There is no pedestrian or bike access to local services except a stretch of road they must walk along for a third of a mile without any footpath.

They then have to cross the A1068 to reach the footpath and cycle network at Northumberlandia.

Charlotte said: “We want the pavement on the A1068 to continue past the bus stop on Blagdon Lane and to Northumberlandia. We have held a march which was on the television, we have submitted petitions and we have met with the council online and in person.

“I have been told it’s not happening – but there are thousands of us here and we are virtually prisoners unless we want to use our cars. It is not safe to walk.

“The speed limit on the A1068 is 50mph and it is regularly exceeded.”

Charlotte was due to have a meeting with the council on December 19, but that has now been cancelled, with no new date set at the time of writing.

She added: “I don’t know why the meeting has been postponed. We have tried everything that I can think of.

“I’ve lived here for a year but some people have been here a lot longer. The council want us to be green, but how can we be green if we can’t get out of our estate without using our cars?”

In January, a petition signed by 292 residents requested “immediate action to prevent injury or loss of life” and claimed there is inadequate infrastructure to the growing development.

The council has said the developers are obligated to put in associated infrastructure via a planning agreement – however, this only comes into play when a certain number of homes has been built, and that threshold has not yet been reached.

This infrastructure includes a footpath connecting the estates to the town centre – although not the footpath Charlotte has requested.

Ward councillor, Barry Flux, said: “I have great concerns about safety in this area. I have allocated all my remaining funds from my members local improvements scheme fund to safety schemes at Fisher Lane.

“This area needs connectivity and safety and my whole focus is doing what is within my power to deliver improvements here.”

However, Northumberland County Council said that Charlotte was the only resident who had requested a footpath to Northumberlandia.

A council spokeswoman said: “This footpath link was not raised as an issue until this year – and none of the Cramlington housing schemes included it. As far as we are aware it is just one resident who has been asking for this footpath.

“It is outside the area effected by the discussions regarding the new footpaths in Arcot Manor. If the town council wanted such a scheme considered it would need to be promoted via the annual Local Transport Plan process.”