Pedestrian crossing areas in Thatcham Broadway deemed safe

That was the view of a concerned resident who brought the issue of using the raised walkways at a recent council surgery.
Town councillors raised the issue for discussion at a meeting of its finance and general purposes committee.
Owen Jeffery (Lib Dem, Thatcham south and Crookham) said that some drivers chose not to treat the raised platforms as a pedestrian crossing point, while others did not abide by the 20mph limit.
Mr Jeffery suggested that signs be installed asking drivers to give way to pedestrians, which he said could provide people with a bit more safety.
Lee Dillon (Lib Dem, Thatcham north) said that any changes needed to be addressed in the context of the Turley report [Thatcham’s design appraisal] so that any proposed changes did not contradict plans for the town’s refresh.
“I don’t want us to waste time and money on something that’s going to be ripped out,” he said.
The town council had questioned West Berkshire on the crossings, which stated that: “The raised areas are traffic calming measures, not pedestrian crossings, though look right and left are painted on the ground to warn pedestrians and generally, most drivers do often give way to pedestrians as a courtesy.”
Richard Crumly (Con, Thatcham central) agreed saying that he had experienced no problems when crossing the Broadway, with 95 per cent of drivers giving way to him at the raised platforms.
He said: “To me the system is working pretty well, obviously someone will not be happy with it but to me this area of so called traffic calming is working reasonably well.”
Town council leader Bob Morgan (Lib Dem, Thatcham south and Crookham) added that the resident was a “remarkably slow walker; virtually shuffling,” but said that the concern raised was not something the town council could address in a practical sense.
Town councillors asked for the district council to look into the issue of safety again within the context of the Turley Report.
West Berkshire Council spokeswoman, Peta Stoddart-Crompton said that the council’s view remained unchanged.
She added: “In addition, the raised areas have proved effective for traffic calming in many areas across the country which has resulted in safer, shared space for both cars and pedestrians.”