THE new pedestrian crossing at the Kent Elms junction of the A127 is an accident waiting to happen, according to one regular user.

Donna Sayers, from Southend, uses the crossing twice a day to take her children to school, and last week alone said she saw four cars drive through a red light while pedestrians had a green man to cross.

The street-level pedestrian crossing was installed last year because the bridge is not compliant with disability regulations.

Ms Sayers said: “There is going to be a serious accident.

“In three days last week I crossed six times and four of the times a car coming from the Rayleigh Road direction has gone straight through the green man.

“On Thursday I had to pull my five-year-old back out of the road as he nearly got hit by a car jumping the lights.

“This is a very busy road used by lots of children going to and from school so when the green man is showing, obviously children cross.

“Something really needs to be done as it is happening all the time.

“If someone were to stand on the bridge and watch they would see for themselves how bad it is.”

Ms Sayers said she now uses the footbridge as she thinks the crossing is too dangerous and other parents with children at Eastwood Primary School, in Rayleigh Road, have joined her.

However, Southend Council want to tear the bridge down this year, leaving just the street-level crossing and Ms Sayers is considering calling a meeting at the school to discuss the crossing with the council.

Graham Longley, Liberal Democrat councillor for Blenheim Park, campaigned for the introduction of the crossing and said it will take people time to adapt.

He said: “There has been a long term worry that children were running across the road instead of using the bridge causing a problem to themselves and to motorists if they are not careful.

“I do not think the crossing is changing the children’s attitude to crossing that junction – whether it is by bridge or by the junction.

“The council have spoken to Eastwood Primary School and instructed people on the clear way of getting across, but with anything new it takes some time to get used to it.”

Southend councillor for public protection, waste and transport, Martin Terry, said: “We would like to reassure residents and visitors that the new surface crossing at Kent Elms complies with current design standards.

“Our road safety staff have been at the site since it opened to advise about safe road practice and to observe how the crossing is being used. 

“Sadly, we have no control over road user behaviour and if pedestrians are choosing to cross when it is not appropriate to do so, this is clearly disappointing.

“We will continue our work to urge everyone to obey the signals for their own safety and for the safety of all other road users.”

CAMPAIGN ON HOLD

THE future of the footbridge at the Kent Elms junction is still up in the air.

The council were thought to have wanted to tear it down this year and not replace it but, following meetings with a campaigner, they have agreed to explore all options.

Kevin Buck, 53 and a risk assessment manager for a hazardous waste company, contacted the council before Christmas with concerns, similar to those of Donna Sayers, about the safety of the junction.

He has now met with Ron Woodley, leader of the council, and Andrew Lewis, the council’s corporate director of place, and has held off on his campaign calling for the bridge to stay.

Mr Buck, of Leigh, said: “I am proposing a public campaign but to be fair to the council they agreed to meet with me and said they will consider all options available to them.

“If it goes against though and they get rid of the bridge, and don’t replace it with a bridge compliant with disability regulations, then I will go full force with a campaign.

“There are five lanes of traffic at the minute and there will be seven when they expand it – it will be like putting a pedestrian crossing on the M25”