CAMPAIGNERS in Kingsley are fighting to have a footpath extended along a dangerous stretch of road in the village. Local residents at the western end of Kingsley, helped by the parish council, are hoping to convince East Hampshire District Council and Hampshire Highways that the path is needed. The route lies near Baker's Corner on the northern side of the B3004 between the Tarmac entrance and the C90 leading to St Nicholas Church, South Hay and Binsted. There are 11 households in the area and, with the development of Lode Farm, this will increase to 14. Parents living in the immediate area, say they would like to be able to walk their young children to the shop or play area, while churchgoers who cannot find space in the limited car park at St Nicholas church, are forced to walk on the busy road. Children attending the Montessori school at the Kingsley Centre also have to negotiate the tortuous route. Olwen Dennis-Jones, who has two sons, and her neighbour and mother-of-three, Harriet Langdale, are among a number of local residents concerned at the lack of safety. Olwen said: "There are lots of children here who want to get to the swings but there is no safe way of doing it. We are all outdoorsy and keen walkers, but it's a designated lorry route. It's incredibly busy and quite frightening." Parish councillors have asked East Hampshire District Council and Hampshire County Council to consider the possibility of a pavement with a raised kerb for 300 yards. Deputy chairman, Mary Herbert, said: "Kingsley parish has a small village centre with a large number of residents living on the lanes and commons at its periphery. It is important that we deliberately encourage a feeling of cohesion between the different areas and enable a true sense of community to flourish." "There is very limited parking at St Nicholas Church which makes it difficult for those wishing to visit family graves in the churchyard, or to enjoy the peace and calm of this quiet area. "We would like to enable more use of the delightful old church, which could be a valuable asset to our community, by holding concerts or other functions there. And so a safe pedestrian route from the car parks in the village to this recreational facility would be invaluable." As part of a 'Walk to Health' campaign, a network of footpaths around the village to include circular walks is being examined, but said Mrs Herbert, until a footpath is constructed at Bakers Corner, there can be no circular walk at the western end of the village. There is also an SSI (Site of Special Scientific Interest) at the junction with the C90 where the rare plant, Tower Mustard (Arabis Glabra), is present, and access to the site is needed for regular conservation work. Speaking at a recent parish council meeting Mrs Herbert said: "Access is really very important but we will need a lot of support to argue a good case." Maureen Comber, district councillor for Kingsley, is giving the campaign her full support.