‘I hope it’ll save a child’s life’

A pedestrian crossing has finally been installed on a “danger” road - more than four years after a child was knocked down and injured.

The safety feature has just been completed on the Littlebourne Road in Canterbury, where a huge new housing estate on the former Howe Barracks has been built.

It is a triumph for a former city and county councillor who had pressed Kent County Council for the crossing, arguing that it was only a matter of time before a child was killed.

And now she wants to see a 30mph extended further out towards Littlebourne to make the road even safer.

Ida Linfield launched her crossing campaign in 2018 following an accident in which an 11-year-old was hit by a car as he crossed the road on his way to Pilgrims Way School. He suffered a shoulder injury and a nasty head wound. “This is a dangerous road for children to cross because it’s so busy, so to see it finally in place is absolutely brilliant,” she said. Initially, Mrs Linfield found herself at loggerheads with highway officials but kept knocking at their door.

“It’s been a long slog but, to be fair, officers at KCC have been fantastic and recognised the dangers and been very supportive,” she said.

The traffic light-controlled crossing will now assist dozens of children and families who cross the busy road every day, especially during school time. It is deemed even more necessary following the opening of the new Barton Manor School on the nearby Spring Lane estate.

Mrs Linfield says she was almost moved to tears to see the crossing working.

“Even when I was no longer a councillor I continued to badger Kent County Council about it and I am pretty sure it will save a child’s life,” she said. “Now I hope consideration will be given to extending the 30mph speed limit.”

The £80,000 crossing should have been installed last year, but the pandemic delayed progress on the scheme.

Ida Linfield at the new crossing in Littlebourne Road