Declare that a zebra crossing should be installed on The Green, Writtle; further that increased traffic using The Green and the speed at which some of it is travelling means that it is increasingly difficult for villagers to cross the road safely, particularly the most vulnerable: young children, the elderly and disabled; further that the current traffic islands are too slim to accommodate pushchairs, wheelchairs and bicycles and do not provide a safe crossing point; and further notes a petition on this same subject has received over 800 signatures.
The petitioner therefore requests the House of Commons to urge the Government to install a zebra crossing on The Green, Writtle.
And the petitioner remains, etc.—[Presented by Mrs Kemi Badenoch, Official Report, 13 March 2019; Vol. 656, c. 8P .]
[P002440]
Observations from the Minister of State, Department for Transport (Jesse Norman):
The design, installation and maintenance of pedestrian crossings are matters for local highway authorities. They have powers to establish crossings on their roads, as well as a duty under section 122 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 to “secure the expeditious, convenient and safe movement of vehicular and other traffic (including pedestrians)”.
Local authorities would need to consider local factors such as pedestrian numbers, road layout, traffic flow and speed and accident records in deciding whether a crossing is necessary, and if so what type to provide. The Department for Transport has published guidance on the assessment and design of pedestrian crossings, in two Local Transport Notes (LTNs):
Local authorities are free to make their own decisions about the design of the streets under their care, provided they take account of the relevant legislation. It would be inappropriate for the Government to seek to intervene in the process of local democratic accountability.