I've just had a tweet from 'A Little Bit of Stone' announcing that Staffordshire County Council are to start work today on a one month pilot scheme to move the pedestrian crossing in Christchurch Way from its existing position to a point above the junction! They are doing this in reaction to Cllr. Philip Jones complaints that cars are being delayed at busy times from getting off Morrison's car park. Oh dear, poor motorists! Since when has the convenience of motorists been more important than the safety of pedestrians?
Cllr. Jones has a short memory. When the supermarket was built, the pedestrian crossing was originally above the junction - where the new pilot is to take place. No one used it! Instead pedestrians coming from Morrisons to go into town braved Christchurch Way and crossed over where the existing crossing is. Who in their right mind would walk over the Mill Street junction to cross the road fifty yards away? So it took several years of campaigning to get the crossing moved and there have been no problems since.
This one month pilot is crazy. Human nature being what it is, pedestrians will still cross Christchurch Way where the existing crossing is - with all the dangers that involves. And very obviously, the disabled and elderly are going to be penalised. And if the council erect barriers to prevent people crossing below the junction, a lot of people will simply not bother coming into town.
This is mad, stupid, crazy - words fail me!
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