Councillors and members of Hexham Civic Society believe the incident demonstrates that the volume of traffic and pedestrians using Hencotes at peak times means the area is “an accident waiting to happen”.
And they have renewed their calls for plans by Karbon Homes, to install a new access off Hencotes to their £5m redevelopment at St Cuthbert’s Close, to be reconsidered.
Hencotes resident and vice-chairman of Hexham Civic Society, Tim Tatman, said: “The major objection to this development was serious concern about placing a new vehicle entrance on to and off a very busy street and across a route used daily by hundreds of school children.”
County councillor for the Hexham Central with Acomb ward, Trevor Cessford, added: “I spoke out against putting in a new junction there due to safety concerns.
“I would like to think that Karbon Homes would now like to reconsider this.”
Police said school crossing patrol worker, Stacey Lavery, suffered minor injuries in the incident, which happened at just before 3.30pm last Thursday. She was taken to hospital in Cramlington.
Officers have issued an appeal for witnesses to come forward.
A spokesman for Karbon Homes said that any issues surrounding road safety were matters for the local authority and the police.
He said: “We want to make clear that the operation of our construction site at St Cuthbert’s Close was in no way connected to this incident.
“It is also important to state that the new access into our site was properly approved by the council, and it will be constructed and operated strictly in accordance with the planning consent.”
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