Safe Crossings for St Mary’s and RUH

The Penn Hill Road crossing at the Bowls Club is not fit for purpose. It needs upgrading to a highly visible zebra crossing.

It has be the site of several 'near miss' incidents, most recently when it was completely driven over by a vehicle, the centre light column being flattened.

Every school day hundreds of people cross here for St Mary's School, WASPS, the RUH, the 103 Club nursery and wrap around care, and Oldfield School. It is the route of the 'walking bus' for primary school children, and children under 11 make up own average 40% of users at peak times on school days.

The specific problem:

- Poorly located at pavement pinch points
- Poorly designed with a tiny central island where people end up trapped with children and pushchairs
- Confusing to drivers and crossing users
- Heavily used by children
- Not conspicuous enough
- Clearly damaged from vehicle collisions
- It is an accident black spot
- It has been hit at least twice in recent years and there was another miss when two vehicles nearly collided.

Everyone and especially children need a safe environment in which to walk (or cycle or scoot).

The current poor crossing arrangements do not support council policies to enable healthy and active lifestyles, such as the ‘5 Minute Walking Bubble’. The recent collision demonstrates why this matter is so pressing.