CONCERNED parents have launched a new campaign to improve safety for pedestrians at the busy Oldswinford Cross junction.

Campaigners say improvements are desperately needed at the traffic lights junction where Hagley Road meets the top of Glasshouse Hill and Heath Lane which has reportedly been the scene of two serious accidents in the last four months.

Calls were made in 2019 for a pedestrian crossing to be installed to protect pedestrians and motorists.

Although the campaign proved unsuccessful, a pedestrian refuge was added on Health Lane, near the junction of Corser Street.

Campaigners, however, have now re-appealed for action to be taken at Oldswinford Cross.

Wollaston and Stourbridge councillor Andrew Tromans said: “We believe this site lacks sufficient safety measures to prevent pedestrian and vehicular collisions. Given this crossing is used by hundreds of school children and college students every day, this is a matter that we believe needs to be solved as a matter of urgency.”

Resident Matt Broad added: “The lack of available crossing time puts pedestrians and other road users in danger every day and more needs to be done to address this."

Campaigners have started a petition on Change.org and called for the pavement by The Cross pub to be widened, for traffic calming measures on Heath Lane and Glass House Hill, further protection for pedestrians crossing the junction, and for extra time to be allotted to allow pedestrians to cross safely.

Concerned resident, Paul Hebron, added: “There is absolutely no protection for pedestrians, and it is very difficult to know where vehicles are going to come from next. I hope something can be done to improve the situation before someone is seriously hurt.”

Councillor Damian Corfield, the council's cabinet member for highways and environment, said improvements to increase safety for pedestrians are planned.

He said: “We take the safety of all road users in the borough very seriously and we are always looking to identify opportunities to improve facilities for pedestrians.

“Upgrading Oldswinford Cross to provide a pedestrian phase is on the current pedestrian facilities programme.

"The design is currently being drawn up with an intention to implement next financial year, subject to budget provision and consultation support from the local community and ward members.”