8:04am Sunday 6th February 2005
By Jane Wharton
THE Loughton road in which a teenage girl was hit by a car has been ranked as only 37 on the district council's traffic priority list.
Outraged residents of Westall Road say they are plagued with through-traffic and have renewed calls for traffic restrictions.
Samantha Grace said: "This is not the first time there has been an accident in this road. It's one of the main ways home from the various five schools in the vicinity and next time the victim may be taken away in a hearse and not in an ambulance. It's so busy and dangerous."
The 14-year-old girl involved in the January 12 collision was taken to Whipps Cross Hospital, Leytonstone, with a minor head injury.
Mrs Grace contacted Epping Forest Council six months ago about the traffic in Debden but she said the latest accident was the final straw.
A council spokesman said: "While it would certainly be practical to carry out traffic calming here, it only ranks 37 on the current list. There are no plans for works at present."
Traffic restrictions are in place in Willingale Road, Pyrles Lane, Chester Road and Goldings Road. Residents say The Broadway is too busy for vehicles to drive fast so Westall Road is now used as the main route into Debden.
Samantha's husband, Darren, said: "There needs to be a bit more thinking and a bit more respect. The council gets our tax every year but that's all it seems interested in. It needs to come out at 3pm and watch how busy it is. Only if someone dies is it likely to do something."
There have also been numerous complaints about the restrictions around Willingale Road which were put in by Essex County Council when Debden Park High School was built.
The Graces say their eldest daughter Hollie, nine, was almost hit by a bus six months ago when it mounted a pavement to drive round parked cars.
Thomas Willingale School headteacher Marion Smith said: "There are frequently bollards knocked over and one day it's likely someone will be seriously hurt. We can't get anyone to accept responsibility or tell us that they will take the views of the school into consideration."
Essex County Council is responsible for the Willingale Road scheme and from April will resume responsibility from Epping Forest Council for all its highways.
A spokesman said the council was aware of issues around Westall Road but any measures "would need to be in context with priorities elsewhere".
He added the council was working with developers and would review measures around Thomas Willingale School.
© Copyright 2001-2012 Newsquest Media Group
http://www.bucksfreepress.co.uk