New crossings improve road safety in Penarth
New high visibility road crossings in Penarth show the way
forward for road safety in the Vale of Glamorgan.
Featuring a new style of illuminated Belisha Beacon poles, the
zebra crossing installed by the Vale of Glamorgan Council on
Redlands Road near the junction with Cornerswell Road replaces the
old crossing and improves safety for local schoolchildren and
residents.
Pupils from St Cyres
Comprehensive School played a key role in the new crossing's
installation after they highlighted the dangers they faced when
walking to school. They identified measures in their school travel
plan to address some of their concerns, one of which was an
upgraded crossing.
Cllr Chris Williams, Vale Council cabinet member for planning
and transportation, said: “As a council we are always interested in
residents' concerns and it is particularly satisfying to be able to
show that we can and do listen to the views of young people in the
Vale as well.”
Cllr Williams, who officially opened the crossing
(pictured), added: “I am sure that everyone who has seen this
crossing, with the new illuminated Belisha Beacon poles, will agree
that it is much more visible than the old style posts. The new
beacons are particularly effective at this time of year when there
is poor daylight during the school start and finish times. This is
the first time that they have been used in the Vale and hopefully
we will use them on all new crossings in the future."
Elaine Storey, the school crossing patrol officer who has worked
at the site for a number of years, has also welcomed the new safer
crossing. Elaine said: “I feel so much safer now. The zebra
crossing is far less confusing for motorists than the traffic
island it has replaced”.
The work has been fully funded by the Welsh Assembly
Government's Safe Routes to School initiative. The grant of
£147,000 has also funded a similar crossing further along Redlands
Road near the entrance to the Cowslip estate while a new crossing
is also planned for Windsor Road near the Dingle footbridge.
17/12/2007