In December, a petition was submitted to Nottinghamshire County Council which asked the Council to install a pedestrian crossing on Musters Road, at the junction of George Road, close to St George’s medical centre.
Rushcliffe Labour say that the petition highlighted that this was a place which was used by families with young children several times a day, in addition to elderly and vulnerable residents crossing here to attend the Medical Centre.
The issue of large parked vehicles stopping to make deliveries causes reduced visibility for anyone needing to cross with a pushchair or with young children, and although there is a 20pmh advisory speed limit, it is often ignored by hasty motorists.
The County Council have responded by pointing out that they receive far more requests for crossings than they can fund, and that this location on Musters Road is not currently considered a priority, so they will not be installing a crossing at this time.
Cllr Liz Plant, Labour Member for West Bridgford North, who had submitted this petition on behalf of her residents is deeply unhappy with the decision and has said that it is simply ‘unacceptable’.
Speaking after the Communities and Place Committee on Thursday 4th March, Liz Plant said:
“I have insisted that an up to date traffic survey is carried out at this location, so that I can be clear about the rationale behind the council being in a position to install a crossing further up Musters Road, where residents will know that traffic volumes are undoubtedly lower than at this location outside St Georges medical centre, where we have requested this essential crossing.
“I hope that when the data is properly examined, it will be become clear that a crossing is required at this location. If we are encouraging young families to walk to school rather than using their cars, then safety must be a basic consideration, and I’m disappointed at this stage because I don’t believe that this issue has been properly assessed”
John Cottee, Chairman of Nottinghamshire County Council’s Communities and Place Committee told The Wire: ‘The report that came to Communities and Place Committee has made it clear we want to look at measures to improve the footway to enable easier crossings for residents.
‘As the report has set out, the average speed is less than 23mph on this road, and there have been no recorders accidents in the last five years.
‘We receive far more requests than we can action every year for crossings, so not every one can be approved. The study as outlined will look at options to support safe crossings at this point.’
The report also states:
‘Formal crossings are also provided where they are identified as the most effective means of addressing a history of reported collisions resulting in injuries involving pedestrians. Fortunately our records show that there have been no reported injury collisions (involving any road users) at this location during the last five years.
‘For the reasons set out above the provision of a formal crossing at this location on Musters Road is not currently considered a priority. At locations where formal crossings aren’t provided alternative measures are also considered to help overcome issues raised.’
