RAINFORD suffered a shocking loss with the death of a pedestrian earlier this year in a horrifying accident in the village centre.


That incident has served as an appalling reminder of just how vulnerable pedestrians are when walking inches away from cars and wagons.


And they are wondering when the next tragedy will see another village family mourning the loss of a loved one.


My daughter is now terrified of walking her three-year-old up our road as it is the main route into the village for cars, vans, wagons, tractors, emergency vehicles and school buses.


The pavements are so narrow that she feels as though her and the little are being sucked towards high sided lorries and the buses as they roar past.


Neighbours have been talking for years with police and council about the perilous situation with various proposals put forward but with no progress.


I am not sure traffic calming methods will work. What could, work if enough people supported it, would be a blanket implementation of a 20mph speed limit through the whole village.


But one that was rigidly enforced. Don’t tell me that the technology doesn’t exist that could record vehicles and their speed.


What infuriates me most is that many of the guilty parties live in the village.


I have recently started the morning school run to a local primary (only when the weather is too bad to walk).

When I get back home, I’m a nervous wreck because of cars speeding through narrow roads as though it is a demolition derby. 


What strikes me as odd is that the drivers are parents, more often than not with kids in the car. Slow down folks… drive with a bit more care… set out a bit earlier… or walk.

I am staggered by the abysmal driving I witness around the schools.


I seem to remember there was a time when our civic leaders used to take note of views that got an airing in the Star’s reader letters page. Here is a chance for them to take some long overdue steps to make our roads safer… and not just in Rainford!


But remember the initial responsibility rests with those behind the wheel. Is it worth speeding to school or through the village… do you honestly want to put your own kiddies’ lives at risk?


Worried grandparent (details submitted)