We need a safe place for Bristol kids to cross

The Bristol Evening Post is today calling for action to make a road where a young girl lost her life safer.

Daisy Witney, of Yate, died when she was hit by a van as she tried to cross Rodford Way in the town on November 3 last year.

An inquest into the 13-year-old's death revealed she was too scared to use a nearby subway crossing because an abusive gang of youths were congregating near it.

A South Gloucestershire Council survey showed nearly 150 people every day – 60 of them children – take a chance by crossing the road in the same area where Daisy died. Another 466 cross further along the road near Abbotswood Shopping Centre, where it is narrower.

And recently a teenager, who asked not to be named, contacted the Evening Post to say he would rather risk his life by crossing a busy road than use the underpass again after being attacked there.

The 16-year-old said: "I was beaten up in the subway about three years ago and I'm scared to use the underpass now. I would rather take the chance of getting hit or killed than use the subway.

"I think it is appalling that it has taken so long – and the death of a child – for anything to be done about it when it has been the place of criminal activity for a long time, such as people being beaten up or robbed, and in this case abuse being shouted at a perfectly innocent young girl.

The teenager said a suggestion to improve the lighting in the subway would not persuade him to use it.

He said: "I think a traffic light system would be much better as I still would not use the underpass no matter how well lit it was.

"Gangs are still going to hang around and make people concerned. I also think it would be a good idea to have a speed camera on the road."

His comments came as parish leaders press for a crossing on the road.

Dodington Parish Council wants a light-controlled crossing installed and South Gloucestershire Council is collecting information before producing a report on ways of tackling the problem.

Christine Howard, chairwoman of the parish council's planning committee, said: "It's quite obvious that a lot of people are not using the underpass – or will only use it at certain times of the day – because they are not comfortable doing so. This is an important issue. A young girl has died so why can't we do something about it now?"

A spokeswoman for Avon and Somerset police said: "The Yate Neighbourhood Team routinely patrols all the underpasses in Yate and works with the council to tackle any graffiti so they are as user-friendly as possible. Yate is generally a safe area to live and work. Local police are not aware of any recent incidents in the Rodford Way underpass. It has not been raised as a priority by local people at the regular Safer Stronger Community Group meetings.

"Anyone who is aware of specific incidents at this or any other location in Yate should call 0845 456 7000 or raise their concerns through the Neighbourhood Team."

South Gloucestershire Council spokesman Ryan Skeets said: "The council works closely with police in the area and have funded an additional PCSO to strengthen the local beat team.

"The police have told us they are not aware of any antisocial behaviour issues linked to the subway at present. However, we will continue to monitor the situation. "

If you support our call for action, write to us at Newsdesk, Bristol Evening Post, Temple Way, Bristol BS99 7HD, or send an email.