North Yorkshire County Council is to look into installing a zebra crossing at the Prince of Wales roundabout in Harrogate.
Cllr Don Mackenzie, executive county councillor for highways, has ordered council officers to conduct a feasibility study into creating an uncontrolled crossing on the exit at York Place. ‘Uncontrolled’ means there wouldn’t be any traffic lights.
The move comes after Malcolm Margolis, a local environment campaigner, posted a video on social media showing people struggling to cross the roundabout due to the volume of oncoming cars.
Mr Margolis said the crossing was “unsafe by design” and left people having to wait for cars to let them cross the road.
He said:
“They [pedestrians] either have to wait – and wait – for a decent gap in the traffic or, as here, rely on the kindness of drivers holding up traffic behind them while they make a run for it.”
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Cllr Mackenzie told the Stray Ferret a study will be prepared to look at the viability of a zebra crossing on the site.
He ruled out a traffic light crossing as this would see “cars stuck on the roundabout”.
Prince of Wales roundabout #Harrogate. Unsafe for pedestrians by design. They either have to wait – and wait – for a decent gap in the traffic or, as here, rely on the kindness of drivers holding up traffic behind them while they make a run for it. Zebra crossing essential. pic.twitter.com/rbwTlmUxaJ
— Malcolm Margolis BEM (@MalcolmMargolis) March 23, 2022
Cllr Mackenzie, who is due to step down from the county council at the May elections, said crossing at the Prince of Wales roundabout had been an issue for “many years”.
Cllr Don Mackenzie
He said:
“This has been something that has been existing for many years and we think the time has come that this needs to be looked at afresh.
“I have often heard people say that this is a difficult road to cross and you have to rely on the politeness of drivers.”
A study will now be drawn up by county council officials and brought before either Cllr Mackenzie or his successor as county councillor for highways.
