NATIONAL WALK TO SCHOOL WEEK HIGHLIGHTS DANGERS OF C.76 LOWER ROAD IN BEDMOND AND PRIMROSE HILL

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Wed 21st May 2008

Sandy Walking to school

Sandy Walkington, Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate for the St Albans constituency which covers the blackspot areas of the C.76 Lower Road in Bedmond and Primrose Hill, joined the C.76 residents group and a host of local children in their specially organised walk to school this morning.

"It was the second time that I have personally walked through the infamous railway bridge. Today the police came specially to stop the traffic. On other days schoolchildren and other residents have to take their lives in their hands to walk through. I previously did it on a Sunday afternoon when traffic is light and I found it a really unnerving experience," Sandy said.

"We want people to walk to school and about their other daily business as well. It's not fair that children and people without cars should feel they are imprisoned in their homes. Or that people should feel they have to drive their children on even the shortest journeys because they fear for their safety. The highways authority has a moral imperative to provide safe walking routes along key residential roads like the C.76.

"What is more, I was pushing local councillor Joy Mann in a wheelchair so that we could both see what the journey is like for people in wheelchairs and disability scooters or for mothers with buggies. It's not at all easy negotiating some of the kerbs, getting round all the cars and lorries parked day in day out on the pavements, and having to cross to different sides of the road depending on the vagaries of the footway.

"I take my hat off to Helen Lehrle and everyone involved in the C.76 Residents Working Group campaign. I really hope that this time something can be done about this long-running saga."

ENDS

For further information please contact Sandy Walkington on 07802 177