Newark and Sherwood District Council launched a petition calling out Nottinghamshire County Council on safety hazards on Newark Road and Beckingham Road, the primary routes leading to Coddington Church of England primary school

A councillor has launched an urgent petition to address the safety crisis affecting public footpaths.

The petition was launched as the footpaths along Newark Road and Beckingham Road, the primary routes leading to Coddington Church of England primary school became a safety hazard.

Launched by Newark and Sherwood District Council councillor Emma Oldham, she is calling Nottinghamshire County Council to prioritise the safety of the public footpaths by allocating the necessary resources for immediate repair and maintenance.

The footpaths are marked by uneven surfaces, crumbling pavements, extensive cracks and overgrown vegetation which can lead to accidents with children who frequently use the paths.

Nicola Rossin, a resident in the area said: "I’ve given up reporting the state of these pavements.

“I’ve reported them repeatedly for the past eight years and nothing has been done. They are dangerous. The wheels on our wheelchair get caught in them constantly."

Hannah O'Brien, another resident, and mother, who commutes daily on these paths, has also voiced her concerns: "The cracks in the pavements are the size of a scooter wheel. “My four-year-old only scoots at a walking speed and still regularly gets her wheels stuck in the cracks, causing her scooter to stop suddenly.

“Some of her friends have been thrown from their scooters and have gotten hurt, which has scared my daughter so much that she often asks to be driven to school."

Several parents have shared their stories and photos of their children being injured on these paths and are asking for immediate action.

To sign the petition visit https://you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/safer-school-streets-in-coddington.

“I encourage all community members to join this campaign. Every resident is at the heart of this petition. You all deserve an active and healthy lifestyle, and safe pathways should be a given, especially on key routes to our school and community Centre,” said Emma Oldham.