Forum topic: New zebra crossing on Bourne Hill

A few months ago I contributed a couple of pieces about pedestrian crossings to this website, and continue to be fascinated and concerned by the clamour for more. Far better to campaign for calmed 20mph speed limits because at that speed driver and pedestrian can negotiate priority, making it possible for pedestrians – most importantly the elderly and people with mobility problems – to cross where convenient to them. Indeed there’s a list of reasons for favouring lower speed over defined crossing points which are well worth revisiting:

• wherever pedestrian crossings are placed there will always be people who want/need to cross the carriageway somewhere else;
• there’s nothing fair or democratic about encouraging pedestrians to deviate from their preferred route whilst drivers remain on their preferred route;
• pedestrian crossings do nothing to enhance the independence and safety of unaccompanied children, but lower speed does;
• a pedestrian crossing is an instruction to drivers which tends to lower their concentration whilst driving between crossings;
• it’s easy for drivers to fall into the trap of regarding the carriageway between crossings as belonging to them rather than a place to be shared with pedestrians;
• ‘accelerate, brake, stop, held-up, accelerate’ driving exacerbates poor air quality (a significant cause of illness and death) in social areas like high streets.

Wood Green has enjoyed 20mph limits and few pedestrian crossings along Green Lanes for years. Why not Palmers Green?

What are people's experiences of the new pedestrian crossing on Bourne Hill between the car washes?

I have noticed that cars from the Green Lanes direction seem reluctant to stop. I have a few close shaves already. Car coming from the other direction seem readier to stop as they are anticipating that the Green Lanes lights might be red anyway, I guess.

I predict an accident soon, so please tread carefully.

Maybe a 20mph zone from Caversham Avenue to River Avenue is in order?

Andrew

I agree. There is a lot going on here that will tend to distract drivers. A 20mph zone might help.