Pedestrian safety concerns on overgrown St Bees Road in Whitehaven

Alan Pearson is urging Cumberland Council to tackle the overgrown bushes and trees along the B5345 St Bees Road in Whitehaven.

Pedestrians crossing from the public footpaths opposite Greenbank Avenue have no choice but to step out into the road to see past the overgrown hedges.

A footpath which runs alongside St Bees Road has also become so overgrown that it is no longer usable.

The footpath which runs alongside St Bees Road at Greenbank is no longer usable because it is so overgrown (Image: Newsquest) Mr Pearson, who is a Whitehaven town councillor, first alerted Cumberland Council to the issue in May but says nothing has been done.

His brother Ken was killed on the road aged six in 1972 and a fence was erected along Greenbank Avenue following the tragedy.

Alan Pearson next to the fence that was erected at Greenbank Avenue following the tragic death of his brother in 1972 (Image: Newsquest)

Cllr Pearson, who has lived at Greenbank all his life, said: “That’s why it rings alarm bells with me. There’s been a few people killed on this road. What price do you pay for a life? Kids congregate in these areas.”

St Bees Road has a speed limit of 30mph at Greenbank Avenue but there are no traffic calming measures in place and vehicles often exceed the speed limit.

Cllr Pearson raised the issue of the overgrowth at the latest meeting of Whitehaven Town Council and members agreed to send a letter in support of his concerns to Cumberland Council.

Speaking at the meeting, Cllr Pearson said: “I’ve reported dangerous crossings at St Bees Road since May. I’ve told them somebody is going to have a serious accident and somebody could potentially be killed.

Overgrown bushes are limiting visibility for pedestrians as they emerge from the public footpaths onto St Bees Road in Whitehaven (Image: Newsquest)

“There isn’t a twig or a blade of grass been cut. I use these footpaths myself. You cannot see anything. I’ve watched people coming out and they have to stand and listen to hear if anything is coming.

“If somebody does get seriously injured or there is a fatality, I won’t be standing back and saying I ignored it. I think it’s so serious. It takes one car, doing well over the speed limit, like some do, there will be somebody killed.

“Some of the drivers travelling on that road are doing 60-70mph. When something does happen, it will be too late. Dark nights are coming now and it makes it even worse.”

Alan Pearson fears a pedestrian will be killed on St Bees road due to the overgrown bushes and trees at the public footpaths opposite Greenbank Avenue (Image: Newsquest)

Cumberland Council was approached for comment by The Whitehaven News.