Fairview Avenue businesses’ concerns over proposed crossing

A group of businesses in Fairview Avenue have expressed concerns over a proposed pelican crossing.

Residents called on Medway Council for a safer crossing to connect houses with the row of businesses on the north side and the library on the south side.

However, after businesses were presented the proposed layout, they raised a number of serious safety concerns. Amongst them, the proposed new site for the bus stop and the dangerously close proximity to the junction between Bredhurst Road and Fairview Avenue.

Alan W Collins has been passed the draft copy of a two-sided letter of opposition by one of the local business employees, who does not wish to be named.

This employee lists three main concerns: the close proximity to no less than nine junctions (all within 100m), the proposed site of the bus stop (which would obscure the view of the road for vehicles wanting to exit the garage and the parade of shops) and the removal of already limited parking spaces.

He said, ‘To be honest I am not only disappointed but disgusted at the waste and disregard of council tax money that this is going to cost. Such as the farcical road traffic island which was placed at the junction of Fairview Ave and Maidstone Rd and the removed after only a few weeks because buses and refuse lorries were unable to turn the corner into Fairview Ave.

‘[This was] incompetence and sheer stupidity [from] somebody with qualifications but no common sense. You would have thought lessons would have been learnt after the removal of the island in Woodside, five years ago.

‘If this proposal does go through could you please let me know the name and address of where to send my letter of ‘I told you so’ to when, not if, someone gets knocked down and injured or, more seriously, killed on this crossing.’

According to another employee of one of the businesses, Hempstead & Wigmore ward councillor and Leader of Medway Council Councillor Rodney Chambers implied over the phone that, although the position of the proposed crossing may alter slightly, they would almost certainly go ahead.

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Is the pelican crossing dangerous? Judge for yourself using the map provided below (click here to load):

The proposed crossing would be halfway along the short stretch of pavement outside the parade of shops – halfway along the current bus stop site. As you can see, the present bus stop takes up over half the length of the pavement, yet the person who drew up the plans obviously expects buses require less space to stop at their request.

Other problems seen above include the parking provision for three cars which would be removed, according to the proposals, and the little “safe” room there is in the area earmarked for the crossing.