Better safety on way for all zebra crossings
IMPROVEMENTS are to be made to zebra crossings across the island, after a review of all 41 was carried out.
Traffic and Highway Services lead officer Colin Le Page said that improving safety for all road users, particularly vulnerable ones, was a key priority of the Integrated Transport Strategy.
‘Following this review, we will be installing street lighting, dropped kerbs, tactile paving, to assist those who are visually impaired, and ensuring all markings and signage are consistent with our current standards,’ he said.
‘Most zebra crossings will require some of the above changes, however, to minimise disruption to islanders, we will prioritise upgrade work on crossings on roads which are due to be resurfaced as part of our annual programmes.’
He said it would take three to four years to complete all the work.
‘It will vastly improve the accessibility of our zebra crossings, make it safer for people to travel on foot and provide better-connected walking routes.’
One of the most notorious crossings set to have an upgrade is at La Couture in St Peter Port.
Currently pedestrians come out from behind a wall on to the busy road, giving drivers and pedestrians little time to see each other.
There is already permission to move the crossing to the north. The latest permission means new LED street lighting can also be installed.
‘La Couture is classed as a traffic priority route, which is considered to be a fairly busy road, the lighting is specifically for the safety of pedestrians and, as the crossings could be used at any time during the hours of darkness, the lighting would remain on between dusk and dawn,’ THS said in the planning report.
Mr Le Page said now planning permission had been granted, it was hoped to complete the work by the end of the summer, depending on contractor availability and competing priorities.
‘These works will significantly improve accessibility and help create a safer walking route to Amherst Primary School and Les Ozouets Campus.’
