A CONCERNED resident has called on the council to install a pedestrian crossing after an tragic incident that resulted in the death of a 32-year-old woman.

On Thursday, a young mum was killed after she was hit by a road sweeper in Beechcroft Road, Stratton.

In response, a resident has said enough is enough and has called on the council to install a crossing at the crossroad outside the Kingsdown pub.

Emily Blackmore, 28, who lives in Kingsdown Road, just a five-minute walk from where the incident took place, has penned a letter to North Swindon MP Justin Tomlinson asking for his help in addressing the safety issue.

Emily said: “I feel very strongly that we need a pedestrian crossing on the crossroads more than ever. I live in Kingsdown Road and am extremely shook up by what happened.”

Just before 4.30pm on Thursday, the 32-year-old pedestrian, who is yet to be identified, was hit by a blue road maintenance vehicle and died.

The circumstances surrounding the incident are not fully known, but police have disputed reports in the national press that weather conditions were a factor in the woman’s death. It is believed she was attempting to cross the road.

“I am a young mum of one and I use this section of road twice a day or more,” said Emily, who has lived in the area for the past five years.

“It’s tragic what happened to that woman, but it could just as easily have been any one of us. Safety at that crossroad is a massive problem and it’s about time something was done about it.

“We need a crossing outside the pub on either side of the road so that we can cross safely and not in fear of being verbally abused if we time it wrong, or worse.”

Emily claimed that, as a pedestrian, she is often subjected to verbal abuse by drivers when trying to cross the road.

Another Stratton resident, Lee Smith, 51, who lives just 300 yards from the crossroads, has also called for change. He said: “I was horrified to hear of a young women killed while trying to run the incredibly difficult red light gauntlet of crossing the Kingsdown crossroads.

“I am not sure about most of the details yet regarding this tragedy but I have seen enough evidence to tell me something like this was just around the corner.”

The Kingsdown crossroad is a very busy area, especially at rush hour. There are a number of schools in the vicinity and residents are particularly worried about children’s welfare.

Emily said: “Not that long ago, a Kingsdown pupil got hit by a car and broke their leg on the same stretch of road this poor woman died on, and many other kids cross outside the pub every morning and afternoon. I have witnessed them blindly dashing in front of cars or buses hoping for the best. I have also been a victim of many near misses crossing this road and feel strongly that now something needs to be done about it.”

Responding to Emily’s plea for help, North Swindon MP Justin Tomlinson said: “This was horrific news and our thoughts are with the family. Concerns have previously been raised about the safety of this area by the head of Kingsdown School and some local residents, which I have relayed those back to Swindon Borough Council. We hope to come to an agreement with the highways team to deliver some much-needed safety improvements.”

But although there is much appetite for change, not all residents can agree on a solution.

A council spokesman said: “This was a tragic accident and, as with all incidents of this nature, we will be reviewing safety at this junction with the police and our highway engineers.

“Although we have received requests for a crossing over the years, we have also been asked to address the issue of congestion on the approaches to the junction and the need to keep traffic flowing. Once we have completed our assessment of the site we will have a better understanding of what action is most appropriate.”