Danger junction to get zebra crossings
Road bosses take action after elderly woman killed
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Zebra crossings will finally be put in at a danger crossroads in Johnstone where a pensioner was killed last year.
The crossings will be created on Walkinshaw Street and Dimity Street where they meet High Street in the town centre.
Two elderly women were knocked down at the junction of Walkinshaw Street and High Street last October, with one of them tragically losing her life and the other needing extensive hospital treatment.
The incident sparked calls for Renfrewshire Council chiefs to take action.
A four-week consultation was carried out earlier this year asking residents what measures they felt should be put in place to make the area safer.
A variety of suggestions were put forward, including traffic lights, a one-way system and a pedestrian crossing.
And, in an email seen by the Express, officers have now suggested that installing zebra crossings would be a “proportionate” move after considering all the responses and the circumstances of the collision.
Johnstone North councillor Andy Doig raised major concerns about the junction following the accident and a number of nearmisses.
He said he was supportive of the plans and hoped they would reduce risks for both drivers and pedestrians.
“Initially, when I raised the danger of this junction, Renfrewshire Council refused to act,” said Councillor Doig.
“But, following a motion I put to a full meeting of the council, it was agreed to come up with proposals and then put them out for consultation.
“The council is proposing to install one zebra crossing at the beginning of Walkinshaw Street as vehicles turn into the street, and another parallel one at the end of Dimity Street, which crucially will slow down any traffic travelling on through Walkinshaw Street.
“There are a number of issues which make the junction very dangerous.
“It is effectively a crossroads, so pedestrians need to have eyes in the back of their heads.
“It is the site of Johnstone’s main Post Office and is adjacent to a sheltered housing complex.
“I am reassured the measures proposed are robust and will address the risk of through traffic from all directions.”
Another consultation will be carried out with the community in the coming weeks to ensure residents are happy with the proposals.
Zig-zag road markings are also set to be painted for a distance next to the crossings to keep the kerbsides clear of parked cars and maximise visibility for pedestrians and drivers.
Labour councillor Derek Bibby, who also represents the area, added: “I appreciate the council’s work on this issue and their response to concerns.
“Improvements at this location are long overdue.
“The zebra crossing proposed will improve safety for pedestrians and help reduce the speeding down Dimity Street towards the junction of the High Street.
“I explored the possibility of a puffin pedestrian crossing in the High Street, but was advised this was not feasible.”