Double yellow line victory following a four year fight

A BATTLE mum is celebrating after finally winning her four-year fight to get double yellow lines installed on a dangerous road where she was injured by a lorry.
24/4/14- Yvonne Clark with Beteena Apps, who have finally won their fight for double yellow lines on North Trade Road, Battle. SUS-140424-10524400124/4/14- Yvonne Clark with Beteena Apps, who have finally won their fight for double yellow lines on North Trade Road, Battle. SUS-140424-105244001
24/4/14- Yvonne Clark with Beteena Apps, who have finally won their fight for double yellow lines on North Trade Road, Battle. SUS-140424-105244001

Yvonne Clarke began campaigning for improved safety measures on North Trade Road after she was clipped by a lorry, which had mounted the kerb trying to get past traffic and parked cars.

The incident, in May 2010, left Yvonne’s hand in plaster.

Following her campaign, East Sussex County Council agreed to a number of safety measures on the stretch between Wellington Gardens and the police station, including raised pavements, higher kerbstones and bollards.

The work was completed in 2011.

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But Yvonne had to wait until last week for council contractors to return to put in full double yellow lines.

In the meantime, more near misses were reported as large vehicles continued to push past parked cars.

In one incident, Yvonne’s disabled daughter was almost struck by a bus which had mounted the pavement.

And just last month, two people were taken to hospital after an elderly driver tried to manoeuvre his vehicle around a parked car outside the recreation ground.

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According to police, the driver panicked when he encountered a car coming in the opposite direction and swerved, hitting both the parked car and the car heading towards him.

But speaking after the double yellow lines were painted, Yvonne says she is convinced North Trade Road is now safer for all road users.

She said: “I feel over the moon, because anyone can walk down the road and be safe now.

“The kids are safer getting to school.

“The traffic is moving better too.

“And there’s no more swearing or people getting out their cars and threatening to punch people’s lights out.

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“It’s great the police, fire and ambulance are now able to get through on the road too.”

The new double yellow lines start by the police station and stretch to just past Wellington Gardens on one side and all the way up to Asten Fields on the opposite side of the road.

Since Yvonne launched her campaign for improved safety measures on North Trade Road, a number of local residents have joined the fight, with one supporter launching an online petition, attracting hundreds of signatures.

Yvonne said: “I’m thankful for everyone who has been involved and helped push for this.”

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She added: “It’s been four years, but now at last I can relax.”

An East Sussex County Council spokesman said: “We are aware that parking has been a long-standing problem on this stretch of road.

“This scheme should address these issues and make the road safer for motorists and pedestrians.”