A mum has called for action after her daughter was involved in a hit and run incident where campaigners petitioned for a footpath to be installed two-years-ago.
Evie Walton, 15, was struck from behind by a car while walking along Market Way in Pinchbeck at 4.15pm on Tuesday, April 1.
The road does not have a footpath, despite over 1,400 people having put their names to a petition sent to Lincolnshire County Council in 2023.
“Not only was this car going faster than it should have done but it didn’t stop to check if she was ok,” said mum Gemma Mace in a post on social media to raise awareness of the incident.
“Fortunately Evie’s injuries are not life threatening but nevertheless things could have been very different.
“The staff at Pilgrim Hospital trauma team were fantastic.”
Gemma says Evie went out for the first time with friends at the weekend though is still struggling to move her neck.
She thanks a couple who tended to her after the incident and two workers from D Brown contractors for their help.
“Maybe Lincolnshire County Council will now realise a need to a pathway down there,” Gemma continued. “Is it going to take someone to be killed? Evie was fortunate but the next person may not be.”
The 2023 petition was instigated by Becs Roberts who said she was waiting to hear back from the county council after the authority did a survey of traffic there earlier this year.
“It’s such a dangerous road, particularly with so many little ones using it to go to and from school,” said Becs. “There’s often big lorries coming down and they’re putting the new cemetery at the end of the road so there will be even more walking down here.
“What happened to Evie is exactly the reason why we set up the petition.”
She also said South Holland MP Sir John Hayes was backing the push for a footpath.
Karen Cassar, assistant director for Highways at LCC confirmed studies on putting in a footpath had already taken place but also stated there might not be room.
“Our officers have put together a scheme plan for this idea, which is the first step in looking for funding to carry out a feasibility study and pre-design work,” she said. “This will work out if a path here could physically be put in and would actually fit on the land available.
“The study is there to look at such things as where services are sited, compulsory land purchases etc.
“We have begun the official process for this area being considered suitable for a path, but there are all sorts of issues that need addressing with planning etc, so nothing is definite.
“One major factor in these considerations also is the sheer high amount of similar schemes we are asked to look into.
“In an ideal world, we would like to deliver on every scheme, but that’s not always possible. We will liaise with the local community as soon as we can on what is happening with this scheme at this location.”
As part of her appeal, Gemma also asked for people to contact Lincolnshire Police with any information they may have on the incident.
A polie spokesman for Lincolnshire Police, said: “The car is described as dark in colour and is reported not to have stopped at the scene.
“The pedestrian, a girl in her mid teens was injured in the collision.
“Officers are now investigating the incident, and following a number of lines enquiries.”
