Residents block 'rat-run'

Friends and neighbours came out in force to protest

Angry residents have blockaded a road to protest at speeding drivers after a nine-year-old girl was knocked down and killed.

Hayley Bloomfield was in collision with a car as she crossed Alexandra Road, in Grimsby, to get some money for an ice cream on Monday evening.

The schoolgirl's family, friends and neighbours are now demanding action on a road they claim is used as a "rat-run" by speeding motorists.

On Tuesday protesters collected more than 2,000 signatures on a petition urging the local council to introduce traffic calming measures.

We've no lollipop lady for the school, no pedestrian crossing, nothing. Tony Booth, resident

A police spokesman said: "The parents and children that live in this area are fully aware of how busy the street is.

"A lot of people are concerned that this is a busy road and probably busier than it should be."

Resident Tony Booth told BBC Look North: "It is about time the roads were made safe.

"We have been petitioning for years to get this road made safe.

"We've no lollipop lady for the school, no pedestrian crossing, nothing."

Neighbour Joan Woodcraft added: "I have been living here 15 years and the traffic gets worse every year."

Hayley's schoolmates at South Parade Junior School were told of her death on Tuesday morning.

She had only been there for six days but teachers said she had been settling in well and would be missed.