A PETITION has been set up calling to improve pedestrian and cyclist safety and inhibit excessive vehicle speeds in the Branksome Park and Canford Cliffs area.

The petition, which was set up by the Branksome Park and Canford Cliffs Residents Association, wants pedestrian crossing points installed where footpaths transverse the roads, a programme of measures to inhibit excessive vehicle speeds to be implemented, cycle routes to be improved and footpath signage to also be improved.

A spokesperson for the association said: “The Highways Safety Petition was set up in light of a number of near misses of pedestrians walking through Branksome Chine and cyclists on their way to school which could have resulted in death or serious injuries.

“Branksome Park has some particularly hazardous junctions, blind bends, inviting wide open roads and concealed entrances and it’s easy to go over 30mph.

“Drivers regularly go over 40mph. Community Speed Watch recorded a driver going 55mph at 6:30pm in September and a child was on a bike just ahead.

“Branksome Chine is a popular with walkers, joggers and holiday makers throughout the year but it’s getting harder to access as the volume and speed of cars has increased in recent years.

“It’s also an area that is home to many vulnerable people. People with impaired mobility and poor eyesight, are saying they are fearful of venturing out due to speeding vehicles.

“The problem is particularly bad, and has been for decades, around All Saints’ Church where over 300 people from the Nursery School to older people attending the Church groups are concerned for their safety as cars often go past in excess of 40mph.

“Under the current road safety policy, only when someone is killed will road safety measures be implemented, not surprisingly we don’t want to wait until the worst happens here.”

To find out more about the petition, visit https://www.pinesandchines.co.uk/.