Safety improvements set for 'dangerous' city road
GoogleSafety improvements are set to be made to a busy and "dangerous" road next to a large park in Derby.
Derby City Council said work to create a new pedestrian toucan crossing in Ashbourne Road, between Prince Charles Avenue and Markeaton Park, is due to start later this year.
It is hoped the crossing will make it safer for pedestrians to cross and visit the park, the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) said.
The city council said final costs and a timescale had not been confirmed yet.
The section of Ashbourne Road where the crossing will be installed is one of Derby's busiest traffic routes and has a 40mph speed limit, which can make it difficult for pedestrians to cross both sides of the road, the LDRS said.
'Super happy residents'
City councillor for Mackworth and New Zealand Ndukwe Onuoha said road safety improvements were needed on the stretch of road.
"If you have been there - and I have crossed it - you will know it is a mad rush to cross.
"Imagine someone with a buggy or a mobility scooter – it is very hard for them to cross. Parents tell me it is dangerous. We need a crossing so they can cross safely," he said.
Conservative councillor for the area Gaurav Pandey welcomed the changes, adding there had been previous requests to get the work done.
He said: "We have been campaigning for this for a long time. Residents are going to be super happy about this."
A spokesperson for Derby City Council said: "A new toucan crossing has been designed to improve access for pedestrians and cyclists between Prince Charles Avenue and Markeaton Park.
"While the final costs and installation timescale are yet to be confirmed, the project is planned for this year and will be funded by contributions from housing developments in the area."
Work to improve road and pedestrian safety on the other side of Ashbourne Road – between Markeaton Island and Friar Gate – started last year after the council was awarded £475,000 from the government.
The section of road was identified as "high risk" and requiring improvement by the Road Safety Foundation.
Work so far has included improvements to existing pedestrian crossings, upgrades to existing crossings on side roads leading to Ashbourne Road and new infrastructure to reduce speed of vehicles.
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