A HASLEMERE resident has made an urgent plea for footpaths, along a stretch of road on the outskirts of the town, to provide safe access to shops and schools.

Jennifer Radford, from Bell Road, has written to Haslemere Town Council and Surrey County Council about the dangers she and others faced due to "the lack of any adequate footpaths". She is also concerned about the hazards caused by fast moving traffic on the A287 and the nearby A286.

"I very often observe individual parents with babies in pushchairs, toddlers and other children struggling to walk safely along Bell Road, taking their lives in their hands on their way to from from the primary school in Camelsdale," she said.

Mrs Radford is also concerned for other pedestrians and those walking into Camelsdale, to bus stops, as well as along the A286 into Haslemere town centre.

"The speed of cars along Bell Road is often well over 40 mph and sometimes nearer to 60. Two-way traffic on the slip road from the Midhurst Road to Bell Road, past Coomers the DIY centre is also often very fast and there is no spare room on this narrow roadway for walkers when cars are travelling in both directions.":

And she assured the councils that there are "numerous a accidents and incidents" along the stretch of road.

"Footpaths needed should be designed to avoid the need for crossing the road repeatedly to reach an existing path opposite." she continued.

"At peak times it can be quite dangerous crossing the road in this area, especially for children and the frail elderly or disabled due to the very heavy traffic and poor visibility at bends in the road and where vegetation obscures vision.

"Although Bell Road is on the outer edge of Haslemere, it should be possible to walk safely, locally from one's front door, during the day and night, without risking life and limb, or without the need to resort to a car in order to go a short distance.

"Walking should be encouraged," she says in her letter.

With government funding she claims allocated for "safe routes to school" the matter she believes should be given "serious consideration before a major injury or even a fatality occurs".

Mrs Radford, who has sent copies of her letter to almost 20 neighbours, includes a plan which outline her proposals for the area.

They include providing footpaths along Bell Road and across the grassed area in front of Coomers, cutting back trees and bushes to allow a safe grass verge for pedestrians and consider extending the 30 and 40 mph speed limits.

Mrs Radford's letter was expected to be discussed by members of Haslemere Town council planning and highways committee at their meeting last night (Thursday).