A teenager who believes people are risking their lives crossing over a busy road to catch the bus is urging Cheshire West and Chester Council to take action.
Fifteen-year-old Mark Smith, from Blacon, says he has almost been hit by a vehicle ‘many a time’ crossing over the A548 Sealand Road near its junction with Western Avenue.
So the Upton-by-Chester High School student is on a mission for it to be upgraded.
He told the Chronicle: “I think that there are many dangers if this junction is not fixed because as many others have commented, it is life or death trying to get a bus.
“I do not want anyone to die crossing this road.
“Getting to and from a bus stop should be stress free and should not be a life or death run to cross.”
And Mark thinks he knows how the junction could be improved, by remodelling the road and installing a zebra crossing.
He said: “I think that the pavement should continue for an extra two metres, then a zebra crossing should allow pedestrians to cross to the bus stop safely.
“I also feel that the road should be remodelled so that the eastbound lane is sent into the grass and the bus stop is moved back towards England by a metre or so, then there is a slight lay-by for the bus to park and the cars to get around as this is also another big problem as the cars all pack up so far back when the bus stops for passengers.”
More than 200 people have signed the petition on Change.org so far.
John Hollis said he was signing it because ‘something needs to be done before someone is hurt or killed’.
While Dawn Rawlinson, from Blacon, wrote: “For many years we have seen numerous crashes caused by cars speeding up, and not being able to turn right as nobody will let you out.
“The junction is dangerous and needs sorting out.”
Traffic assessment to be carried out
Cllr Brian Clarke, cabinet member for economic development and infrastructure, revealed that Cheshire West and Chester Council will be conducting a traffic assessment at the junction to see if it is suitable for a signalised crossing and to establish the number of pedestrians crossing the road.
He said: “The speed limit on the A548 has recently been reduced from 60mph to 50mph and this unfortunately would be too high a limit to be able to provide a zebra crossing.
“We will carry out a traffic assessment to see if it meets the criteria for a signalised crossing.
“This would need to be located at least 100 metres from the junction and would cross the North Wales boundary.
“Other options such as placing a traffic island in the road may also be considered.”
But Cllr Clarke added that funding would have to be allocated if the criteria was met.
If you would like to sign the petition, click here.
Do you think the council needs to take action on this junction? Let us know in the comments below.
