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Two Day audit adjacent to Surgery/Library, Findon Road. May 2005.
7am-7pm. Volunteers undertaking 2 hour shifts.
Friday 13th May.
7-9am 47. 9-11am 30. 11am-1pm 31. 1pm-3pm 25. 3pm-5pm 49. 5pm-7pm 6. TOTAL 190.
Monday 16th May.
7-9am 46. 9-11am 30. 11am-1pm 31. 1pm-3pm 35. 3pm-5pm 48. 5pm-7pm 21. TOTAL 211.
During the counts, a number of very disturbing incidents were recorded.
Several elderly residents were marooned sitting in wheelchairs on the refuge with traffic roaring past both ways, and with no vehicle slowing down to let them continue crossing. Several younger mothers pushing buggies with children walking, having to wait at the central bollard.
“It’s just like waiting in the middle of the motorway with a contra-flow in operation”. (Well, it is, but most likely there would be wider separation of the contra traffic lanes there!)
With the Safer Routes to School Scheme coming into operation, more children will be walking to school. So we must have a protected crossing at this point.
Long term residents say that since 1978, three people have been killed at this unprotected crossing. (Sorry I should have said one person was killed at the crossing, and two were hit by motor vehicles but died later in Hospital.)
The day after the second head count, two cars collided at this bollard, destroying it. Bits of cars ripped off were dumped on the verge. How fortunate no pedestrian was attempting to cross at the time. (An elderly resident whose bungalow overlooks the refuge, said “It’s not unusual. It’s happening all the time”.)
Talking to a resident of Parham Road, he was asked if he used the refuge. His reply was “ No way am I crossing there. If I go to the doctors or Library, I always go by car. I feel much safer”
With little or no regard for the residents, drivers are still going too fast on this road, and exceeding the 40mph. We desperately need 30mph, with cameras.
We definitely need a controlled, protected crossing at this point to restore to the residents affected some quality of life.
The elderly should be able to visit the library/doctors/shops, and young mothers able to walk their children to school without the fear of crossing the road. (Each Way, and Twice a Day!)