Safety fears over crossings on St Annes seafront to be unveiled as part of £1.6m Pier Link scheme
“With the new one-way system on that stretch of St Annes Road West, vehicles will still be emerging at that corner and the crossing is too close”
A St Annes town centre resident has expressed safety fears over two zebra crossings on the town’s promenade which are set to be unveiled soon as part of the delayed Pier Link scheme.
The crossings connect the western stretch of St Annes Road West, which is being refurbished under the £1.6m scheme, and the seafront at St Annes Pier and are currently cordoned off while awaiting being full marked up.
Temporary traffic lights are in use in their place until the zebra crossings are ready for use but town centre resident John Miller already has fears over safety..
“While one of the crossing sites is new, the one outside the town hall replaces a zebra crossing which was there previously and a few years ago, that was moved a little to the south as there had been repeated instances of pedestrians being hit or almost hit by vehicles turning left out of St Annes Road West,” said Mr Miller.
“The new crossing is back at the original site and with the new one-way system on that stretch of St Annes Road West meaning vehicles will still be emerging at that corner, the crossing is too close.
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“Also, I can’t believe that they have installed a dropped kerb and dimpled paving at the crossing points and yet cordoned them off.
“It’s unsafe for wheelchair users and people with sight problems to cross while the work is being completed, as they are the only dropped kerbs and dimpled paving in that area of the promenade.
“The work has taken a very long time already but those crossing points really need looking at to ensure it is safe for everyone to cross what can be a very busy promenade.”
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Work on the £1.6m Pier Link scheme in St Annes began on February 23 and was due at the time to take 18 weeks, but is expected to be completed shortly
Once it reopens, drivers will be restricted to travelling away from town towards the pier and promenade, while cycling is permitted the other way.
Fylde Council, which is responsible for the Pier Link scheme, and Lancashire County Council, as the highways authority, were contacted for comment on the crossing concerns.