Calls to install a pedestrian crossing in Punnetts Town have been turned down by a senior county councillor.
On Monday (September 23), Cllr Claire Dowling, East Sussex County Council’s lead member for transport and environment, considered a petition calling on the authority to build a pedestrian crossing on Battle Road, outside Punnetts Town Community Primary School.
During the meeting ward councillor Bob Bowdler (Con) argued the location of the requested crossing is a “focal point” for the village.
Cllr Bowdler said: “The crossing mentioned in the petition is a critical location within the village and is immediately outside the school gate … and directly opposite is the only public car park in the village, the village hall … the medical centre, the newly-refurbished children’s play park and the community sports and playing fields.
“Clearly, this is a much used crossing point in the village which does not have any designated safe crossing point anywhere within its boundary. It is perfectly clear that this is a focal point for all the residents wishing to access any of our community facilities.
“Children arriving at the school by any other means than walking from properties north of the road have no option but to cross at this point.”
In a report considered by Cllr Dowling, officers put forward their view that the best form of crossing for the area would be a “signalised puffin crossing”.
Officers said a puffin crossing would cost somewhere in the region of £170,000 to £250,000 to install, with costs likely to be on the higher end of this spectrum due to the need to install street lighting.
They said such a scheme had been considered, but did not meet the benchmark required to move ahead as part of the council’s capital programme.
The report also noted how Punnetts Town Community Primary School is an approved site for a school crossing patrol, which is funded by the county council. Officers noted this position is currently vacant, but also said two volunteers currently work the morning shift.
In light of this advice from officers, Cllr Dowling declined to fulfil the petitioner’s request. However, she also said the council could support the installation of a pedestrian crossing if an external source of funding is identified.
This external funding could include money secured through development agreements. Some of this funding (up to £50,000) could also come from the council’s community match
Speaking to Cllr Bowdler, Cllr Dowling said: “Can you thank the petitioners for bringing the petition forward. I understand why they brought the petition forward, however I have got to look at everything else that comes the way of the road safety team.
“It doesn’t meet the benchmark criteria, unfortunately, and in this case I will be going with the recommendation.”
This crossing point is very dangerous and traffic often overtakes down this supposedly 30mph section of road. Why not bring the whole road down to 30mph and 20 mph during school hours in section past the school and sleeping policemen at either end of the 20 mph sections… Speed camera?? Please slow the traffic down, an accident waiting to happen.