A CONCERNED mum who wants safety railings installed along Via Urbis Romanae is striving for 500 signatures on her petition.

Lisa Gibbs' campaign already has nearly 300 backers, who are equally worried about pedestrian safety along this fast-moving highway, connecting the north of Colchester to the A12.

The 34-year-old, who lives off Turner Road, is one of thousands of people who use the route to access Camulos Academy, the football stadium, Colchester General Hospital and the train station.

She said: "Families are encouraged to find alternative routes to school rather than travel by car but with the lack of railings here, very few families feel safe to do so.

"Many children use scooters or bikes along this road but there's nothing to prevent them from falling into the path of oncoming traffic should they have an accident.

"Furthermore, if a vehicle travelling at speed mounts the kerb, pedestrians are equally vulnerable to injury.

"Whilst most children are accompanied by adults, it only takes a second for an accident to happen.

"Installing railings will be expensive, but we don’t believe in waiting for an accident to happen before taking action to prevent a fatality.

"You cannot put a price on a life."

Sections of the Northern Approach Road near Asda superstore already have metal railings installed but the Via Urbis Romanae is an "accident waiting to happen," Lisa feels, and others agree.

One supporter said: "As a key route for emergency services vehicles between the hospital and the A12, I feel the safety barriers are essential to protect pedestrians from high speed vehicles."

Another added: "It beggars belief that railings weren't installed when the road was constructed. Pedestrian safety is paramount."

Rather than railings, which can be a hazard to cyclists and motorcyclists, one Mile End resident believes Essex Highways should revisit the speed limit along the road.

Will Bramhill, of Colchester Cycling Campaign, said: "Railings will only give a sense of subjective safety, not actual safety. The issue is paths have been put right next to a 40mph road rather than with a verge of some sort."

But ward councillor Phil Coleman said Essex Highways refused to drop the limit to 30mph due to its link with the A12.

"Therefore any other measures, such as protective railings, are very welcome. Anything that makes young people safer should be put in place," he said.

"I would also support flashing warning signs on the Via Urbis Romanae at school start and finish times to highlight to drivers that lots of young people are around."

Find the petition here.