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A45 safety fence call after girl's death

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Published Date: 19 October 2009
Calls have been made for a high fence to be erected along a busy road following the death of a teenager.
People living near to the A45 in Northampton have called for the fence to be built to stop youngsters being able to access the 70mph dual carriageway, playing "Russian Roulette" with their lives.

Currently there are gaps in the trees and hedges along the road, as well as an opening at the bottom of Stratford Drive, in Wootton, allowing access for people who can climb through.

Sophie Bywaters, 13, died after she was hit by a van while trying to cross the busy duel carriageway, near Wootton, in Northampton, last week.

A Highways Agency spokesman said: "We are continuing to investigate the two options identified last year – improving links to the existing bridge at Wootton Fields and providing fencing along the A45."



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  • Last Updated: 19 October 2009 8:26 AM
  • Source: Northants Evening Telegraph
  • Location: Kettering
 
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AndAnd,

19/10/2009 08:38:49
It wouldnt make much difference, there are countless fences accross Northamptonshire to keep people out of places which have holes cut in so people can get into these places. A new fence would last a matter of weeks.
Why should the tax payer foot the bill?
Surely it's down to the parents to to have enough control or authority over their own children to tell them not to cross the road and for their children to actualy listen to them.
Seems a like a massive step backwards for society to have to fence off the town because parents cant ot wont take their responsibilities seriously.
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Mark Winspear,

Kettering 19/10/2009 12:44:37
I couldn't put it better than AndAnd. Whilst the authorities and media demonise drivers (sometimes with just cause) little heed seems to be paid to the responsibility of pedestrians.
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KevinSheedysLeftPeg,

Downtown 19/10/2009 16:40:25
AndAnd and Mark Winspear. You're talking about a 13 year old girl here who has died and you're effectively blaming her parents. They are not to blame. It's a tragic accident. If a fence helps save a life in future then it should be erected. There is no price on the life of a child. This is one thing that 'Tax Payers' money should be used for.
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Big Aldy,

Northampton 19/10/2009 18:47:24
While it is very sad that a young girl lost her life, surely you aren't suggesting that fences be erected on all major roads at the expense of the tax payer?
Road sense was instilled in all of us from a very early age.
Remember the Green Cross Code?
I personally wasn't allowed to cross the road without a parent or crossing patrol, and I grew up in a small village in Scotland in the eighties. There were a lot less vehicles on the road then but it was no less dangerous.
The danger only arises when the individual is impatient or takes unnecessary chances.
No one can be held responsible for the girls actions, but a lesson can be learned. I don't think the answer is to construct a fence.
5

Bobby85,

Kettering 19/10/2009 21:21:27
I agree with all the comments posted so far.

Yes the children should be more aware of road safety. Maybe rather than learning French or German, schoold should be teaching people the values of life & safety. EG Road Safety, Level Crossings etc, After all school is suppose to prepare you for your life ahead.

But at the same time totally agree with "andand" it would only be a matter of time before the fence was damaged / vandalised and it would be useless again. People county coucil tax should be ploughed into what is really needed in the county, ie Road Repairs, NHS etc, not fences than quite frankly none of us use!
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crapxxxx,

kettering 20/10/2009 00:46:52
This was a tragic accident, and while I can understand some of the concerns shown. One only has to drive past a modern school at the end of the day to see that some children think they are immune to the rules of the road and the laws of physics!
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