Safety scheme reconnects village

A £600,000 road safety scheme will connect two sides of a Staffordshire village and aim to provide a safe journey to school for children.

It follows a fatal head on crash on the A51 trunk road in Longdon last year.

Staffordshire County Council then pushed the safety scheme up the priority list.

The work has seen new 40mph and 50mph speed limits, an electronic pedestrian crossing, new road surfacing and new pedestrian refuges and road markings.

County Councillor Frank Lewis said: "Last year's tragic crash really frightened villagers.

"The village was split in two by the A51 and people felt they were taking their lives in their hands just trying to get about on foot. The scheme has reconnected the community."

Parish Council Chairman Steve Welsh said: "The signs, coloured road markings and the crossing are all very high profile.

"They send out a strong message to drivers to take care as they drive through our community. Families in Longdon can breathe a sigh of relief at last."