Busy Basford junction is made safer by new pedestrian crossing
RESIDENTS have welcomed a new pedestrian crossing on a 'notoriously dangerous' road.
Work on the £114,000 puffin crossing at the junction of Victoria Street and Shelton New Road, in Basford, is due to get underway on Monday.
It follows concerns from families and businesses about the safety of pedestrians crossing the busy road.
Now, motorists have been warned of delays as work is expected to take around seven weeks to complete with temporary traffic lights being put in place during that time.
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The crossing will include traffic signals with tracking technology which will hold the lights on red while pedestrians cross.
Basford resident, Denise Atter, crosses at the junction several times a day.
The 40-year-old, from Kingsfield Road, said: "I am so pleased to hear that something is being done about this junction. It's incredibly dangerous to cross here at the moment.
"Cars tend to just run through the lights on red and don't take any notice of who's crossing the road.
"Anything to make this road safer for pedestrians is a brilliant idea as far as I'm concerned."
In October, The Sentinel reported how Stoke-on-Trent City Council had announced plans for improvements to road safety on Victoria Street.
It followed several residents raising concerns about cars mounting the pavement at the junction.
Student Rebecca Smith, of Victoria Street, said: "I cross most mornings on my way to work. It's difficult because you've got to time it just right to avoid being hit.
"If the drivers are coming from around the corner from you, they can't always see you properly.
"I don't mind delays to driving on the road if it means a safer crossing."
Andrea Kelsall, manager of Stephen Miller hairdressers, on Victoria Street, said: "We have elderly clients who struggle on the crossing.
"There have been accidents on the roads around here before, so we were happy to receive a letter letting us know about the crossing."
Stylist, Elena Sgarito, added: "Some children from the area walk home from school this way.
"Anything that makes the roads safer will be a good thing for the community."
Councillor Ruth Rosenau, cabinet member for transport, said: "This is an essential upgrade that will boost safety as well as reducing congestion.
"I would like to thank motorists in advance for their patience while this work takes place and to assure them the team will be working as efficiently and effectively as possible."
3 Comments
by stevenweiss
Sunday, February 10 2013, 11:52PM
“Those so-called puffin pelican crossings are a waste of time...literally. They stick on red instead of flashing amber. The motorist doesn't know if it's a normal crossing gone wrong or one of those new types. The new ones not only hold red after the person's crossed but seem to wait till they're safely at home with the kettle on. Surely such a feature will irritate the motorist and possibly cause an accident further on in their journey due to their annoyance?”
by james208
Friday, February 08 2013, 12:26PM
“Could the residents have a crossing for northwood lane, clayton?”
by Backdoored
Friday, February 08 2013, 12:00PM
“If a substantial minority of motoriists didn't BULLY the Lollypop Ladies -intimidating them and their flock -there'd be no need for this expense to the taxpayer.”