There is currently considerable concern about the removal of the busy traffic-controlled pedestrian crossing on St Lukes Road between Totterdown and Victoria Park. Cllr Jon Wellington has informed TRESA that he received the following report from the council, and has asked for a temporary solution to be put in place as soon as possible given how dangerous St Luke’s Road can be.
“I am writing to inform you that the pelican crossing on St Lukes Rd near the junction with Hill Avenue has been condemned on the grounds of electrical safety and unsafe corroded poles. The crossing has therefore been switched off and I am currently arranging for the unsafe poles and equipment to be removed. I was aware this crossing was at the end of its life and its replacement was programmed to take place next financial year.
This will however mean that for a short period there will be no formal crossing facility on St Lukes Rd until I am able to install something temporary prior to a permanent solution being installed. The temporary solution will however be costly and may mean that delays will be experience on St Lukes Rd as there is not sufficient footway width to place temporary signal heads on the footway. Any temporary signal heads will therefore have to be placed in the carriageway that could ultimately narrow it to such an extent that I have to install shuttle working (one way at a time).
The permanent solution will also present difficulties as modern signal standards and equipment require wider footway widths which could mean the crossing has to be relocated or an alternative crossing type investigated such as a zebra crossing.
My team are in the process of arranging pedestrian and vehicle counts at the site along with speed surveys so we can ensure the correct permanent solution is proposed. You will be kept abreast of developments at this site but if you require any further information please do contact me.”
TRESA is not aware which council officer is responsible for this work, but we are making further enquiries. In the meantime, if you have concerns, you may wish to contact:
cllr.jon.wellington@bristol.gov.uk
traffic@bristol.gov.uk
karin.smyth.mp@parliament.uk