High visibility bulbs make Dorchester crossing safer (From Thisisdorset)

High visibility bulbs make Dorchester crossing safer

2:30pm Saturday 11th February 2012 in Latest By Harry Hogger

LONG awaited improvements have been made to a pedestrian crossing in Dorchester.

Town councillor David Taylor said he has been calling for improvements to the crossing in Poundbury Road for two years and was delighted to see Dorset County Council install new high-visibility lighting.

He said he had been contacted by numerous local residents concerned about the dangers of the crossing outside Magna Housing Group’s HQ, particularly in the dark.

After contacting Dorset County Council’s highways community officer for Dorchester Danny Allen, Coun Taylor said he was delighted when the authority responded with a new trial lighting scheme featuring LED lights illuminating the crossing.

He said: “There have been real problems with visibility there and I have been campaigning for two years to get it sorted out.

“Many times I have had knocks on my front door from people saying their children were crossing there and nearly got hit and at long last Dorset County Council has put in extra lights.

“The high-visibility lights mean the crossing is greatly improved and a great deal of thanks go to the council from myself and the residents of both Poundbury and Dorchester, they have done a great job.”

Magna’s chief executive Graham Colls said he was also pleased on behalf of Magna staff to see the improvements installed.

He said: “I’m delighted. I think it looks a lot better and it’s certainly more noticeable.”

Council engineer Kerry Stone said the improvements had already been on the cards when she was contacted by Mr Allen about Coun Taylor’s concerns and said by the end of the month the posts beneath the lights would be painted black and white, further increasing the visibility.

She added: “The LED around the top of the lights are part of a trial scheme and because it’s on the door step to County Hall we thought it was an ideal location to trial them and see if it helps improve visibility.

“Now we can keep an eye on it and get feedback.”