A LAUNCESTON woman is raising awareness of her campaign to try and make ‘one of the most dangerous roads in Cornwall’ safer.

Jacki Ellis-Martin, who lives in Dutson Road, would like to see a 7.5-ton weight limit imposed, to prevent large HGVs travelling on it.

However, Cornwall Council said a 7.5-ton weight limit on this road ‘would not be feasible’.

Jacki told the Post when her house was built around 10 years ago, at her own expense she had pavement installed outside the property for safety reasons, to aid pedestrians.

It was around five or six years ago Jacki witnessed a young woman with a buggy and toddler jump into her driveway to avoid being hit by two passing HGVs.

She then, again at her own expense, had bollards installed, which she says have been hit half a dozen times by vehicles — which she has reported to the police following the most recent incident.

A frustrated Jacki says Cornwall Council will not adopt the pavement outside her home, and she spoke to a council officer last week, claiming she was told if a vehicle hits the bollards, she is liable for the damage to that vehicle.

Jacki added: “I rang the police. They told me that no, I wasn’t liable. In fact they have issued it as a hit and run incident. They told me if I see anyone doing it again they can prosecute for driving without due care and attention.

“It’s my property, I’m liable for all the repairs to it. I’m 71 — I’m a pensioner. I haven’t got the money for that kind of thing. I’m providing a community asset.

“When we started having these real, real problems with juggernauts going up this road, they started using my bit of pavement as a parking space.

“When I came back a bollard was knocked over and the pavement ripped up. I thought I’ve just had enough.

“I maintain it’s one of the most dangerous roads in Cornwall.”

She said she rang BBC Spotlight ‘in a temper’, and they went out to film a piece about Dutson Road with Jacki. They were there about three hours.

She said she thinks a 7.5-ton weight limit ‘will get rid of the problems really, or most of them’.

Jacki has also decided to draw up a petition for local residents to sign, adding: “I’m not going to let this lie.”

She is asking everybody to write to the council to ‘say they are very concerned about Dutson Road, and please can we have a 7.5-ton weight limit’.

Jacki will try and make copies of her petition available in local shops and is seeking the help of residents to go around and gather signatures from local people.

Anyone who would be happy to collect signatures can contact Jacki by calling 07977 058213 or emailing [email protected]

Cornwall Council issed a statement that reads: “Cornwall Council is aware of the issues on Dutson Road and has been in contact with the resident to discuss her concerns.

“The council is working to develop a package of measures to improve traffic flows and pedestrian safety and connectivity in Launceston in the longer term.

“Local councillors from Cornwall Council and Launceston Town Council have had many meetings to discuss possible solutions to the problems on Dutson Road. Options are limited as there is a steep stone bank on one side of the road and properties on the other.

“Dutson Road is also part of the A388, which forms part of Cornwall’s strategic road network and is a strategic freight route. As there is no suitable alternative north south route for larger vehicles, a 7.5-ton weight restriction for this road would not be feasible.

“The pavement and the bollards in Dutson Road are on private land and are not part of the public highway. Any damage to the bollards or the vehicle which hit them would be a matter for the landowner and the third party who caused the damage. The council has no plans to adopt this pavement as it does not link to any existing council footways.”