A RESIDENT in Langport is calling for Zebra crossings to be improved, saying they are “dangerous” as many drivers fail to stop for pedestrians.

Rachel Jones, 43, from Langport, has started a petition because she frequently sees cars ignoring the crossing.

“I’ve lived in Langport for eight years and I live right by one of the crossings and it has always been an issue, but I think it is one of those things you put up with,” she said.

“More than half the times you go to cross somebody fails to stop. There have been times where cars have looked like they are going to stop but haven’t.”

Somerset County Gazette: Bow Street zebra crossing in Langport (centre of town). Pic: Steve RichardsonBow Street zebra crossing in Langport (centre of town). Pic: Steve Richardson

Sophie Amghar, 32, had a recent near miss after she had decided to walk to Tesco with her fiancé and their children.

“There was myself, my fiancé and our four boys,” she said.

“We walked to the zebra crossing and checked both ways and the two youngest – who are six and eight - were slightly ahead.

“As we approached and were halfway across the crossing, a silver car approached and stopped.

“But then - as the two boys continued walking - the car suddenly drove towards them.

“Our hearts were in our mouths and thankfully our children weren’t hit, but there was only a few inches between them and the car.

“Something really needs to be done, I think we need a proper pelican crossing in place.”

Somerset County Gazette: Zebra crossing on North Street, Langport, near Tesco. Pic: Steve RichardsonZebra crossing on North Street, Langport, near Tesco. Pic: Steve Richardson

Rachel explains in her petition that a man was hit by a car in Langport in 2018, and this was because a driver failed to stop at the crossing.

“And older gentleman was killed in October 2018 by Tesco,” she said.

“He was a local guy, a dog walker, and he very fit and active and there were lots of factors to do with this – not just because he was elderly.

“There are cars parked and a busy junction. There’s a 20mph sign that is obscured by bushes for most of the year. And the crossings themselves just aren’t visible.

“I went to see the Town Council before lockdown and everybody was supportive. I would like to see, is a review of the crossings and a review of traffic management in Langport.”

Somerset County Gazette: Bow Street zebra crossing in Langport (by the bridge). Pic: Steve RichardsonBow Street zebra crossing in Langport (by the bridge). Pic: Steve Richardson

Langport Town Council agreed the crossings needed to be changed and so contacted SCC Highways, who suggested they apply for a Small Improvement Scheme, but the scheme is not taking submission at the moment.

“Following the completion of the investigation into the fatal collision, which occurred in 2018 at the zebra crossing near the Tesco store in Langport, we have looked at developing a package of measures for enhancing this zebra crossing, which we hope to have in place early next year,” said a spokesperson for SCC.

“In relation to a more major improvement scheme through Langport, the current tranches of existing improvement schemes are being developed, but when the window for submitting new schemes is re-opened county councillors will be notified.

“We do however take the safety concerns raised very seriously, and will look at the details in the petition, when it is submitted to us, to establish whether there are any small scale measures that might be of benefit at the other zebra crossing sites, and also to help motorists obey the 20mph speed limit.”

Somerset County Gazette: Bow Street zebra crossing in Langport (centre of town). Pic: Steve RichardsonBow Street zebra crossing in Langport (centre of town). Pic: Steve Richardson

Transition Langport, a group who seek solutions to environmental issues, believe there are ways to prioritise pedestrians, without closing the roads to traffic completely.

Cara Naden, 40, part of the group, said: “We don’t envisage to close the road to local vehicles and we don’t want a bypass either.

“But looking at what they do in other parts of the country - there are ways we could make the high street pedestrians a priority.

“Ideas such as putting tolls in, which would prohibit people from using the town as a cut-through.”

To sign the petition visit change.org