Express & Star

Plea for go-ahead on crossing near Dudley College

Dudley College's principal has pleaded for plans for a pedestrian crossing to be approved, saying delays with its appeal bid are 'putting the lives of students and staff in danger.'

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It comes after a construction student was recently injured after being hit by a car while crossing The Broadway, between the college's main campus and Dudley Evolve in Tower Street.

An appeal was lodged with the Planning Inspectorate after Dudley Council turned down the scheme but now, six months later, a decision is yet to be made.

The Planning Inspectorate today confirmed the application was now being looked at and a site visit was due to take place later this month.

A decision will then be made at a later date.

Mr Williams said the accident took place before Christmas and left the student with injuries to his foot and hand, highlighted the need for the crossing.

He added: "There is obviously a pressing need for a crossing and I am extremely concerned that a further incident could result in a fatality.

"I was astounded earlier in the year that our application had been rejected, particularly after the council's own investigations deemed the application should be approved.

"The addition of a controlled crossing had always been a requirement in the development of the Dudley Learning Quarter, as the safety of the college users and the wider public is our foremost concern.

"We are now in a position that a Government cut back in staffing at the Planning Inspectorate appears to be delaying our appeal and consequently putting the lives of our students and staff in danger."

Dudley Council rejected the college's planning application following objections from residents who were worried that it would result in noise disturbance due to students gathering at the site.

They were also concerned that queuing traffic at the crossing would cause air quality problems.

Mr Williams said: "The college has invested in excess of £40m in the regeneration of Dudley through the creation of the Dudley Learning Quarter.

"The assertion that the creation of the crossing would be detrimental to the amenity of the area is disappointing."

Dudley North MP Ian Austin Austin said "The college has made a huge difference to the town centre but I'm worried about the safety of students moving between the various buildings.

"These delays have gone on long enough so I've tabled official questions on the delays in Parliament."

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