FLINTSHIRE residents have launched a petition in opposition to a fence blocking access to a country park.

It comes as people living on Parc Jasmin estate in Broughton believe the fence is blocking a much safer route to the country park and for schoolchildren.

This is because, following the sudden erection of the fence by Broughton and Bretton community council in July, pedestrians now have to walk via the B5125 roundabout off Junction 36A of the A55.

Chester and District Standard:

The fence erected by Broughton and Bretton Community Council in July

The fence has blocked an access way into the country park, 30 or so meters away from Parc Jasmin.

Children living on Parc Jasmin and attending Broughton Primary School used to use the country park to walk to school, but now have to walk via the roundabout.

And the roundabout is extremely busy, with traffic leaving the A55 and going to and from Broughton Shopping Park using it.

Chester and District Standard:

Pedestrians walk past the site of the latest collision on the roundabout in Broughton - showing how close they would have been to it had they been walking there at the time of the crash

The sheer volume of traffic has led to the roundabout becoming what residents say is an accident hotspot.

The latest instance - the third in the last two months - was last weekend, which saw car swerving off the roundabout and ending up wedged on the barrier.

And resident Lisa Roberts has launched a petition campaigning for access to the country park to be restored.

Chester and District Standard:

Images, above and below: The aftermath of the latest collision on the roundabout in Broughton last weekend 

She said: "That stretch is absolutely horrible to walk along, especially in winter.

"Hopefully if access to the country park is not granted, the petition could help us get some kind of safety measures put in place at that roundabout - as it's a disaster waiting to happen."

The petition has well over 200 signatures, and will be submitted to Broughton and Bretton Community Council, and if unsuccessful to the Welsh Government Trunk Road Agency which is responsible for the roundabout.

Chester and District Standard:

Cllr Klaus Armstrong-Braun, who is supporting the campaign, said: "The residents signing this petition shows the deep level of feeling people have over this issue.

"How Broughton Community Council can say the current route is safer than the one through the country park is utterly absurd.

"I want to see access to the county park restored before someone is badly hurt."

Chester and District Standard:

Cllr Klaus Armstrong-Braun and Lisa Roberts with the petition

A Welsh Government spokesman said: “The safety of road users is a priority. We have already installed signs with an advisory 30mph limit and we are now planning a speed limit review to assess if further measures are required.”

Broughton and Bretton Community Council has been approached for a comment