Motorists warn over crossing

9:56am Wednesday 13th October 2004

MOTORISTS warn a new zebra crossing on a railway bridge is an accident waiting to happen.

The crossing was installed at the hump of Sydenham Road, Sydenham, last week as part of a series of traffic-calming measures in the area.

But motorists say there have already been at least two near misses due to the lack of signs alerting them to the crossing's existence.

Barry Milton, of the Sydenham Society, said: "The zebra crossing is right on the hump of a bridge.

"Motorists depend on seeing the black and white lines. Even the belisha beacons are high up in the air and out of drivers' sightline. Motorists don't have any warning until they are milli-seconds away from the crossing.

"It's a road safety scheme that's waiting for an accident. Someone could be killed."

The Sydenham Society is calling for proper markings leading up to the crossing, the belisha beacons to be lowered and floodlights for when it is dark.

Lewisham Council says markings are in place together with the belisha beacons.

A spokesman added: "We will continue to monitor the site to see of there are any problems."

The zebra crossing is the final stage of a series of road humps and other traffic- calming measures introduced around Sydenham Road, between Kirkdale and Silverdale.

Cobbs Corner, where Westwood Hill, Kirkdale and Sydenham Road meet, had to be redesigned for the second time within the space of a few months because the narrower roads caused traffic to mount the roundabout.

At the time traders complained the ongoing nature of roadworks partly caused by gas pipeline company Transco replacing gas mains had caused their takings to slump by as much as 50 per cent.

Traders have taken their complaints to the local government ombudsman, accusing Lewisham Council of maladministration.

Explore News Shopper