Safer crossing scheme looks likely to go ahead

WORK to improve safety on a busy Bradley Stoke road will go ahead, seven months after a schoolboy was seriously injured.

Thousands of people signed petitions calling for action after the teenager received head, abdomen, arm and leg injuries in an accident with a motorcycle on Bradley Stoke Way.

It was the second accident on the road last year that resulted in "life changing" injuries to youngsters and moves for a new crossing and other safety measures were supported not only by parents but also by the police, local schools and councillors.

Now a scheme is set to be approved by South Gloucestershire Council after the proposals were advertised and comments received.

Under the plan a "toucan" signal-controlled crossing will be installed to replace existing pedestrian refuge crossing points.

A 30mph speed limit will also be extended to cover the new crossing area and one already operating near Champs-sur-Marne.

Both areas are currently subject to a 40mph restriction.

Other work involves reducing a section of dual carriageway to one lane for general traffic and using the other as a bus lane to tackle the problem of risky overtaking.

Steve Evans, the council's director of environment and community services, said: "Pedestrian movements and the accident profile for the area have changed since the new shopping centre opened. There is the possibility unless action is taken, the pattern resulting in these two very serious incidents could continue."

He said even before the accidents, the need for a crossing at the identified location had been identified.

A 14-hour survey carried out afterwards showed nearly 5,000 vehicles were recorded travelling at between just under 35mph and just over 38mph. Another count over 12 hours showed 479 pedestrians and cyclists crossing Bradley Stoke Way at the two uncontrolled crossing sites either side of the proposed toucan crossing.

Mr Evans said some objections had been received to the scheme - one referring to the "continuous persecution of the motorist" and one urging a 20mph restriction.

Parents had asked for the whole road to be covered by a 30mph limit.

But the project has been included in the current local transport programme and funding of £106,000 from developers allocated to do the work.

Mr Evans said the steps to be taken would give a safer area for pedestrians, cyclists and those using mobility scooters to cross the road to get from residential areas to shops, schools and other facilities.

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