Controversial crossing suffers sinking feeling
PART of a crossing at the centre of a row over pedestrian safety has been resurfaced – just two months after being installed.
Contractors have covered rows of decorative bricks which had started sinking and become uneven with a smooth layer of Tarmac at the crossing in Leek.
The emergency repairs were carried out on the Haywood Road crossing on Tuesday night ahead of more permanent works later this year.
The costs of the work – which have not been disclosed by Staffordshire County Council – will be met by the contractor.
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The crossing has come under fire from residents and traders who labelled the new design as 'unsafe'.
Ahmed Onbashiev, aged 26, of Leek, who owns Smithfield Fish Bar and Cafe, said: "Some bricks on the crossing were raised up, which made it dangerous for people to walk across. The crossing should not have to be re-done so quickly."
Moments Cards and Gifts owner Henry Fox, aged 65, of Leek, said: "The council has dropped a real clanger. It's a bit embarrassing that the job was not completed properly in the first place.
"A lot of people didn't want the new crossing in the first place. It works well for motorists but not for pedestrians." Porters Dry Cleaners shop assistant Christine Blakeman, aged 51, said: "The bricks were sinking. It created a tripping hazard for pedestrians."
Shopper Irene Knights, aged 54, of Ball Haye Green, Leek, said: "The bricks were sinking just two days after being installed. They obviously could not cope with the weight of the traffic. People contacted the council about this in November so I don't understand why it has been left in such a state for so long."
The new crossing was installed as part of changes to the road network to make way for the town's new Sainsbury's store.
A council spokesman said: "In a project of this size there is always going to be some snagging. The blocks around the crossing hadn't settled well.
"We have had signs out alerting people to the uneven service until we could carry out the temporary repair."
4 Comments
by Pepper09
Thursday, January 24 2013, 8:56PM
“If the people of Leek had not delayed the work by "sitting" on the roundabout, the bricks would have had longer to settle.”
by mommanoesbest
Thursday, January 24 2013, 2:53PM
“I've used this new crossing and I used the old crossing. It feels safer pedestrian wise (apart from these bricks of course). Someone always has to moan don't they? The only drawback is the lack of sound when the green man appears.”
by Huey_Hog
Thursday, January 24 2013, 1:47PM
“"A lot of people didn't want the new crossing in the first place." The crossing in the photos has been there since Adam was a lad, they just redid it.”
by radway
Thursday, January 24 2013, 12:52PM
“" The crossing should not have to be re-done so quickly."
So leave the crossing as it was...... logical.”