PEDESTRIANS look set to have a safer route through Hayfield in future thanks to three proposals for a continuous footpath along Church Street.
Councillor John McCall presented plans drawn up the Built Environment Action Committee to Hayfield Parish Council at their meeting on January 16.
He said: "There is a reasonable footpath part way down Church Street, but then it stops completely, a
nd then starts again.
"A lot of people have complained about it over the years, particularly mums with pushchairs and children going to school. It is difficult for them to contend with the morning traffic."
The footpath is broken by four gardens protruding into the line of the walkway.
The parish council resolved to hold a forum for local residents and county council representatives to view and discuss the plans.
Councillor McCall said each plan specifically dealt with any parking lost by the extension of the footpath - it is at a premium on Church Street because off-road parking is very limited.
The first plan would see five parking spaces lost to make way for the extra path. These would be replaced by converting the rose garden for parking. Traffic calming measures would also be introduced.
The second plan was devised by the traffic advisory group. It would create one shared surface for pedestrians and vehicles, with the different zones demarcated in different surface materials. The idea is to make pedestrians and drivers more aware of each other.
Mr McCall said the third option was the most radical. It would see the four residents whose gardens protrude into the line of the footpath giving up that portion of their land. He said they had already been consulted on the idea - three were keen and one was not.
He said legal issues would have to be resolved and concerns were raised that the four residents might feel pressurised into agreeing.
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