Mid-Derbyshire MP writes to constituents over Borrowash road safety matters

The MP for the Mid-Derbyshire constituency has written to residents of a borough village regarding road safety matters.

Jonathan Davies oversees the west and south west of the borough and said that, as the local MP, one of his top priorities is to increase safety on the roads and reduce risks to residents.

Representing concerns about the levels of speeding in local communities and highlighting additional traffic behaviours that are putting residents in danger was stated as being something Mr. Davies said he will always use his position to do.

The MP regularly engages with local authorities and the Police to urge them to install speed calming measures where appropriate and to take steps to reduce risks to residents wherever possible.

His letter to Borrowash residents said that dangerous traffic conditions along Victoria Avenue is an issue that was of particular concern, adding that it was something he was keen to prioritise.

He said: "Residents tell me that the current situation along the road can be extremely dangerous. The road is particularly dangerous during school pick-up and drop-off times, during which, traffic becomes heavier and families report having to wait upwards of 10 minutes to cross the road safely."

The MP added that, despite work from Ashbrook Infant and Nursery and Ashbrook Junior School to promote safe parking, cars regularly park outside the school and obstruct views of oncoming traffic.

He said: "Combined with a lack of a safe, recognised pedestrian crossing, this is putting children, parents, teachers and residents at risk."

Seeing the safety of children in our communities as of paramount importance, Mr. Davies said that he recently wrote to Derbyshire County Council to request that a faulty flashing sign was fixed as a matter of urgency, and that the installation of a pedestrian crossing outside the school was made a priority.

Mr. Davies reported that after this letter was sent, the authority completed the work to fix the faulty sign, and added that it had also committed to installing a zebra crossing along Victoria Avenue in the coming months, detailing this as late 2025 to early 2026.

Mr. Davies added: "This is welcome news, and I am pleased that my interventions have led to action to improve the safety of residents and families in Borrowash.

"However, my work is not done, and I will continue to encourage the (county) council to deliver this project as soon as possible and to take further steps to improve safety where possible."

The MP used his letter to express hope that the combination of the working flashing sign and a zebra crossing would help to reduce levels of speeding and increase safety levels for residents, adding that the zebra crossing should also help to reduce long waits for parents to cross the road safely with their children.

Finally, the Mid-Derbyshire MP criticised motorists who park their cars on pavements or in an unsafe manner along Victoria Avenue, and called for feedback from local people, adding: "It is an issue that I will continue to work on alongside the local community."