1,300 sign petition for zebra crossing after teen’s death

Over 1,300 people have signed a petition to get a pedestrian crossing in a Lincolnshire village after the death of a local teenager, who was hit by a lorry.

As previously reported, 16-year-old Eliza Bill from Threekingham died after the accident in the village of Osbournby on Monday, December 3.

Hayley Connor started the petition around 24 hours ago, which at the time of writing has 1,308 signatures.

She said: “We feel as a community that we need a pedestrian crossing to help protect our children within the village and surrounding villages.

“Osbournby is a small village running right through the main A15 towards Sleaford and Bourne. There is a lot of traffic travelling through which includes many HGVs.

“There is a 30mph speed limit, but there is no crossing for anyone to cross safely.

“We feel due to recent tragic events, which has resulted in a 16-year-old child being killed, it’s clear there is a safety issue in regards to the road.

“We have a primary school, Day Nursery and buses collecting and dropping off children who need to cross to get home. How do they cross safely?

“As a community, action needs to be taken now to prevent any more unnecessary tragedy. Please help us try to make this community safe for everyone to live.”

Brining the community together

Several people have commented on the petition including Reverend Nick Munday who said there is “an obvious safety need for a crossing… but also a social need to join the two halves of the village together into an even stronger community”.

Jacquie Lovell added that the situation is “unacceptable on safety grounds and must be rectified immediately,” calling on councillors to “address this issue with the highways team as a matter of urgency.”

Petition will be passed on

Leader of North Kesteven District Council, Councillor Richard Wright, said: “We send our heartfelt condolences and sympathies to the family of Eliza Bill who died after a road accident in Osbournby this week.

“It’s a tragedy to see a young loss of life and I am sure it will affect the community deeply as it is so close knit.

“We have seen a petition has been started for a crossing to be created. Once this has been received we will pass it on to Lincolnshire County Council as the Highways authority.

“District and County Councils are there to support the residents they serve. I’d encourage anyone affected by this tragedy to contact their local representative.”

Lincolnshire County Council were also approached for a comment, but there was no reply by the time of publication.