New crossing in Penicuik fails to impress
A NEW road crossing in Penicuik has been described as a "hazard" by the local community.
Concern has been expressed that blind and visually impaired pedestrians are facing difficulty using the crossing which is close to the town centre bus terminus and Penicuik Health Centre.
The light-controlled crossing, from the Somerfield car park to Imrie Place, has been removed as part of the alterations to the road layout. It has been replaced by a crossing on a raised section of roadway served by a belisha beacon.
Martin Lyon, Penicuik and District Community Council's disability groups' representative, claimed at last week's meeting it was now a "very dangerous crossing."
"It is a hazard," he added. "It is that much of a hazard, a blind man can't cross."
Midlothian councillor Margaret Wilson (SNP) said she was "appalled" with the new crossing and had already met with council officials to discuss the situation.
"You can't get anyone with impaired vision across the road safely. You can't get people with good vision across that road safely.
"I was there on Friday. If the sun is shining on the beacons you can't see them flashing. People don't understand when they can go on the crossing. You wouldn't believe the amount of people who have complained about it," she added.
Community council chairman Bill Fearnley said he had been contacted by a couple of blind people about the crossing. "It frightens me to death," he added, of the new crossing.
The community council is to write to Midlothian Council raising local concerns about the crossing.
A local authority spokesman said: "The new traffic layout proposed at the Lidl store is for three zebra crossings to replace the previous traffic light-controlled crossing.
"There will also be a 20mph speed limit introduced and all crossings will be set on raised areas.
"As a result of the prescribed design standards, a light-controlled crossing could not be constructed within the new road layout.
"Government guidance recommends that signal controlled crossings are not located in close proximity to roundabouts to avoid confusion being caused as to whether the traffic signals are for the roundabout.
"The new road layout is designed to reduce the speed of vehicles, provide a more pedestrian friendly environment, giving pedestrians more priority over vehicles and allowing additional crossing locations."
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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