DOCUMENTS relating to the planning of Huntingdon s Jubilee Park have revealed the highways authority had always wanted a footpath and cycle path linking the fields to Huntingdon. The planning papers, obtained from Huntingdonshire District Council, show co

DOCUMENTS relating to the planning of Huntingdon's Jubilee Park have revealed the highways authority had always wanted a footpath and cycle path linking the fields to Huntingdon.

The planning papers, obtained from Huntingdonshire District Council, show concerns were raised by Cambridgeshire County Council in February 1993.

CCC had objected to the plans as a local authority, and asked for cycling provisions to be included in the scheme as a highways authority.

The county is currently fast-tracking a request for safety improvements on the A141 and Kings Ripton Road, which leads to the park, following the death of Warren Hay.

Warren, 16, died trying to cross the A141 to reach Jubilee Park.

The death of the St Peter's schoolboy has seen 7,500 sign a petition for improvements which would allow children to get to the park safely.

However, documents show concerns were raised with HDC as the planning authority before the park was built in 1999.

At the time the planning application for Jubilee Park was being considered, the county council said: "Approval should only be given if there is no suitable other location which does not involve the loss of high-grade agricultural land, or result in an isolated development in the countryside."

And, in its capacity as the local highway authority, it raised no objections "subject to the provision of a cycle/footpath link between the site and the A141 and those [paths] to Sapley Road".

John Dunleavy, of the Warren Hay Road Safety Action Group which is behind the campaign for a crossing over the A141, said the councils have "let the community down".

He added: "None of the councils seem to be putting their hands up to this and they are all passing the buck."

A spokesman for HDC, the authority that gave the scheme planning permission, said: "The application was determined taking into consideration the observations and comments of the various consultees."

In a letter sent to The Hunts Post this week, parish clerk Diane Jenkins speaking on behalf of Kings Ripton Parish Council, said they raised concerns about the design of the A141.

Mrs Jenkins wrote: "The council has been concerned from the outset and these concerns were made clear.

"It was felt that there should be a roundabout in place or if not some kind of pedestrian crossing/traffic lights where the Kings Ripton Road meets the A141.

"A footpath should have been a consideration of the original planning permission for the recreation ground.

"Kings Ripton Parish Council feels very strongly that this matter has been very badly managed and that it should be addressed before any more accidents happen."

A decision on whether new safety measures will be introduced on the A141 is to be discussed by both the county and district councils in September.

The county council has asked its officers to start working with representatives from the Warren Hay Road Safety Action Group to investigate options and report their findings to the September meeting. This will allow an immediate decision to be made.

The Hunts Post has suggested installing a light-controlled crossing on the A141 and Kings Ripton Road, and lowering the speed limit on both roads near the junction.

No final decisions are expected to be made until after the inquest and police investigation into Warren's death, which took place on Sunday May 13.

The Warren Hay Safety Action Group is scheduled to meet MP Jonathan Djangoly on Friday.

The teenager's parents, John and Maxine, who live in Alconbury, have vowed never to rest until new safety measures are in place.

INFORMATION: To support the Warren Hay Road Safety Action Group phone John Dunleavy on 01480 350507 or Rolief Leonce on 078807 24007 or to sign the

online petition visit www.huntspost.co.uk