ADDITIONAL traffic lights and barriers are to be installed on a controversial crossing following concerns raised by members of the public.
Staffordshire County Council is to add corner barriers and traffic light heads to the pedestrian crossing in Haywood Street, Leek, during the on-going six week programme of remedial works presently taking place.
Concern had been raised that cars are travelling down Haywood Street when the green man was instructing people to cross the road.
Now lights will be installed to enable drivers coming from Ball Haye Street and Asbourne Road into Haywood Street to see who has the right of way.
County councillor for Leek South, Neal Podmore, had requested the addition of traffic light heads on the crossing, to make it clearer to motorists when they have the right of way.
He said: “The whole design of the highway scheme was about pedestrians and motorists sharing a joint space, but on some occasions drivers have been stopping even though they have right of way.
“The addition of traffic light heads, although not necessary, will help make it absolutely clear when they can drive on.
“Over the coming weeks contractors will be carrying out repairs to the crossings, so it makes sense to install the new measures at the same time to minimise disruption.”
An interim independent audit showed the Haywood Street staggered crossing in the town is safe to use. However, councillor Podmore said the new measures would help encourage everyone to use the crossing as it was designed and ensure pedestrians feel that bit safer.
Mr Podmore added: “This is a major scheme and a bold, creative, open design was very much at the heart of the new vision for Leek.
“While we have had some great feedback on the creation of the public space, and the audits have shown all of the crossings are safe to use, there has been concerns about how the crossing in Haywood Street is being used.
“From the start, where there have been suggestions to improve the scheme, we have been happy to look at them and where feasible carry them out, as in this case.
“I have asked for green corner barriers to be added as I think these will discourage people from taking a short cut directly across the road, without compromising on the design features of the wider scheme.”
