Recently, and not for the first time, I was almost knocked down by a car when I was in the middle of a particular Pelican crossing in Wilmslow. I use this crossing a couple of times most days as I walk into and return from Wilmslow's town centre.
The crossing is an accident waiting to happen because of its badly positioned location at the top of Bedells Lane, a few feet before it bisects Chapel Lane and becomes Hawthorn Street.
My first brush with serious injury happened last summer in broad daylight. The driver of a vehicle travelling from Hawthorn Street failed to observe that oncoming traffic from Bedells Lane had stopped at the pelican crossing to allow me to cross.
He also failed to see me crossing. The car, a convertible, passed so close to me I could have reached out and touched the driver.
The latest near miss took place on Friday, 6th January. It was 4.30pm and daylight had faded into twilight. I waited at the crossing until a car coming up Bedells Lane stopped to allow me to cross. Mindful of what had happened to me previously, I checked for traffic from Hawthorn Street before setting foot on the crossing. There was a car approaching, but it was some distance away, allowing me adequate time to cross.
Half way across, I realised the oncoming car was bearing down on me at excessive speed, but my instincts told me that the driver had seen me and the car would slow down to allow me to complete the crossing. I was wrong. When I realised I could not reach the safety of the pavement a few feet ahead, I took a step backwards into the middle of the road and the car, travelling well above the speed limit, narrowly missed me.
Visibility was murky, but surely the driver must have seen me on the Pelican crossing. Then I saw that not only was neither of the two orange beacons flashing, they were not even lit.
Had the absence of a statutory visible warning been a contributory factor in my near miss?
I called 101 and told a polite policeman what had happened. He took my personal details, and assured me that something would be done about the beacons, and they would look into the overall safety of the crossing.
Today is Tuesday, 24th January. I've heard nothing from the police and the flashing orange beacons are still not working.
Welcome to the Golden Triangle.
Comments
Here's what readers have had to say so far. Why not add your thoughts below.
The Beddells Lane crossing should be converted to a pelican traffic light controlled crossing, along with the ones outside Waitrose and at the end of Hawthorn Lane as soon as possible.
I'm not sure that it complies with the "absolute minimum" of 5 Mtrs from a junction stipulated in the design requirements for crossings.
Surely the whole of Bedells Lane/Hawthorn Lane is crying out for a 20mph speed limit.
CEC should look at what Manchester have done regarding all residential roads being made 20mph to reduce pedestrian/cyclist casualties.
"The Zebra Crossing at Hawthorn Lane, Wilmslow has been assessed. At the time of inspection, there were no defects identified that were considered to present a danger to highway users.
We will continue to keep the highway safe for all users via our scheduled safety inspection regime, when any defects that fall within intervention levels will be identified and arrangements made for prompt repair".
I can only think this is a consequence of giving off the Highways Department to a private company.
Why doesn't Cheshire East take action to improve your he safety at this crossing, when so many instances of drivers being unaware of the need to stop? There should be modifications made to reduce the speed of cars on this road.
When I was taught to drive, it was the drivers responsibility to be aware of pedestrians stepping towards the crossing. The driver should also drop down into 3rd gear if applicable. Drivers that belt across this crossing have a scant regard for human life in my opinion.
As for people not knowing they have to give way at a crossing - how did they pass a driving test?
as far as they are concerned, our personal safety when out & about in public is on our own heads.
So whether crossings are in the wrong place/laughably inadequate road markings/pathetically irresponsible individuals are enabled to pass driving tests by equally inadequate examiners/unenforced laws etc etc etc, the phrase 'lions led by donkeys' can be our slogan..