Sefton Council reviewed two reports recommending the installation of two new zebra crossings in the borough
Aerial view of Chapel Lane in Formby(Image: Google)
Proposals for the installation of two new zebra crossings have been approved in one part of Merseyside amid some safety concerns. At a Sefton Council Licensing and Regulatory Committee meeting tonight Monday January 6, local councillors accepted two recommendations from the Assistant Director of Highways & Public Protection (ADHPP).
The ADHPP reports were presented to the council chamber and related to new zebra crossings in Formby and in Southport. Both proposals involved public consultation and any resultant amendments were considered by the committee to inform their decision.
The technical term for a zebra crossing in the UK is a ‘marked crosswalk’ as it includes white and black stripes that resemble a zebra’s coat. They are used at unsignaled crossings and are accompanied by upright flashing globes – pedestrians have priority over vehicles and drivers must give way when someone is crossing.
The first proposal heard by the committee was for a zebra crossing on Liverpool Road in Birkdale which would provide a controlled way to serve the increasing pedestrian movements between the Aldi and Tesco Express supermarkets, according to the report. The new crossing will be located approximately 40 metres south adjacent to the Tesco entrance.
Aerial view of Liverpool Road in Southport(Image: Google)
After the public consultation was completed, the council received four responses which all objected to the plans. Objections included various concerns ranging from queries about the need for an additional crossing, the potential loss of on-street parking and the possible safety risks for an ‘already hazardous entrance’ due to parked vehicles restricting access.
The reports acknowledged these concerns and detailed how each of the issues was being addressed. This included a response to the ‘safety risk’ concern and cited the use of zig-zag markings to enable the carriageway to be clear of parked vehicles around entrances and improving visibility.improving visibility.
The second proposed zebra crossing was for Chapel Lane, Formby and followed a request from a resident with visual impairment, who struggles to cross Chapel Lane at the westerly end (by Elbow Lane). The report noted there are currently no controlled or uncontrolled crossing points across Chapel Lane at the Elbow Lane junction and plans could improve safety and accessibility.
Merseytravel has also agreed to relocate a nearby bus stop and a number of street furniture items, such as bins and small trees may need to be moved. Cllr Carla Thomas queried one possible oversight in the current plans, she said: “There’s no waiting time which allows people with disabilities to park using their blue badges.
“So where they’re now planning to put the bus stop. It’s going to take those bays away by so many meters. Because of the impact of that, how many of the disabled bays would be relocated somewhere else?”
The committee agreed this query would be submitted and changes would be duly considered.