'No zebra crossing' decision disappoints Douzaine

Senior Vale Constable Richard Leale said the Douzaine was disappointed by the decision but he understood why Traffic had stopped short of providing one at the busy Route des Coutures, which leads up from the Bridge to the Vale School. 

"We've had a very full engagement with the authorities on this and are grateful to them for the time they've devoted to our concerns," he said. "Ultimately, however, we were unable to convince them that a zebra crossing was required."

Instead, Traffic has installed dropped kerbs and a pavement build-out with tactile paving and painted hatching (see image above). That, plus a new pavement in Tertre Lane by the Camp Dolent development significantly improves visibility for pedestrians. 

"Although a zebra crossing was rejected... we did consider its possible installation at some future date should pedestrian numbers significantly increase and therefore ensured there was good provision for connecting to a power supply for new lighting columns on both sides of the crossing without having to trench across the resurfaced junction," Traffic said.

Family homes
Concerns about road safety and children getting to school, as the new housing is aimed at families, led the douzaine to discussing it on two occasions and contacting Traffic on a number of occasions, not least because of planning requirements when the development was being considered. 

At the time, Traffic welcomed the new footpath running around the boundary of the site along Tertre Lane and into Route des Coutures. "This will greatly reduce the current pedestrian road safety risk, in particular at the junction, whereby pedestrians are having to step into the traffic lane, in order to gain sight of vehicles heading down Route des Coutures before crossing," it said.

Traffic and Highway services said that if the development was approved, it would consider installing a zebra crossing. However, it added, "pedestrian movements at this junction may dictate that an informal crossing point for pedestrians is suitable."

Mr Leale said that was the decision now reached by Traffic. "We have challenged the decision, and received a full explanation of why Traffic believe it is the correct one, and we obviously have to accept that.

"We're grateful for the attention Traffic have given to our representations, nevertheless, the douzaine remains disappointed that the opportunity wasn't taken to install a zebra crossing at outset.

"We will continue to monitor this and won't hesitate to make further representations to the authorities if pedestrian safety becomes an issue," he said.