The Purewell Crossing

I have now had a definitive from Highways regarding this crossing and what interim measures are possible to improve safety in crossing the road at Purewell Cross without jeopardising the tricky issue of lorries being able to unload to supply the convenience shop and associated parking for customers of the shop who in the main are local residents. The original idea was to install what is called a Toucan (two can) crossing which is a light controlled system which at that time did not, we thought, require zigzag lines on either side thus maintaining the integrity of the parking which we all know is coming under severe pressure in this area. This is now not the case and all crossings require these prohibitive lines. Further DCC having completed a footfall survey concluded that the crossing point should be where the main footfall was recorded and that was at a point close to the junction, this was not as called for in the petition to the Council which was much further down the road passed the Stanpit Wines shop.DCC apparently advised CBC Highways that funds were not available for a light controlled system and the only solution was to install a zebra crossing, not light controlled which included the 'no go' lines thus losing most of the parking places in that area.Having recently witnessed the reaction from residents about the potential loss of parking in Purewell, this appeared to be a solution which would not generate support from the majority of residents and be a dangerous precedent as we know that the whole parking issue has not gone away as the bus companies look to further their claims that parking delays their service. For my part I am extremely concerned that an unprotected zebra crossing at that point would subject pedestrians to danger due to proximity to the bend at the junction of Somerford Road and the approach speed of traffic. Also the integrity of the crossing at that point would be challenged by drivers leaving the Motorist shop and driving straight on to the road across the pavement and on to the crossing. This something which has been of concern for some time and is currently under scrutiny by Highways and our SNT. Whilst I am bitterly disappointed that what was imagined cannot proceed I am looking to turn the whole problem into a positive with a general review by DCC of the whole intersection in order to make it more pedestrian friendly. At a later date I will confirm that the first results of this will be some engineering to make crossing easier and safer. Should anyone wish to talk about this on Saturday please come along to my surgery at St Johns.