Create a safe pedestrian crossing at Waverley Road across/ George V Avenue

Create a safe pedestrian crossing at Waverley Road / George V Avenue

I am asking Kent County Council to investigate the installation of a formal pedestrian crossing on George V Avenue at, or immediately adjacent to, the junction with Waverley Road.

This should be treated as a priority school walking safety issue.

The junction sits on an important walking route for children and families travelling to and from Garlinge Primary School & Nursery. The school is only a short walk from the junction, meaning that a significant number of children are likely to encounter George V Avenue as part of their journey to school.

The problem is particularly acute because George V Avenue provides a relatively straight approach through this part of Garlinge. Vehicles can travel at speeds that are uncomfortable and potentially dangerous for children attempting to cross the road. Children should not be expected to stand at the roadside trying to judge gaps in traffic on a road used as a through route.

There is currently no clearly defined formal crossing at this point giving pedestrians priority.

There is also evidence that the junction has previously presented a road-safety risk. A recorded collision in June 2015 occurred specifically at George V Avenue junction with Waverley Road, involving a vehicle entering the path of another road user and an evasive manoeuvre to avoid a collision.

The solution should therefore be to design the road around the needs of pedestrians, rather than expecting children to adapt to vehicle traffic.

I ask Kent County Council to:

1. Undertake a pedestrian count at the junction during school arrival and departure periods.
2. Undertake a vehicle speed survey on George V Avenue, including the 85th-percentile speed.
3. Assess the feasibility of a formal pedestrian crossing, preferably a zebra/Puffin-type facility appropriate to the measured traffic conditions.
4. Assess whether the crossing should be positioned slightly away from the junction to maximise visibility and safety.
5. Investigate whether kerb build-outs, high-friction surfacing, improved lighting or other traffic-calming measures would make the crossing safer.
6. Consider the existing pedestrian desire lines between Waverley Road and Garlinge Primary School.
7. Consult Garlinge Primary School, parents, pupils, residents and local councillors as part of the assessment.

KCC itself recognises the importance of school crossing facilities: school crossing patrols are specifically provided near schools and major junctions to help pedestrians cross safely.

However, a permanent crossing would provide something that a patrol cannot: a safe piece of walking infrastructure that is available throughout the day and not dependent on a member of staff being present.

This is not a proposal to inconvenience motorists. It is a proportionate road-safety intervention on a route used by children.

Parents should be able to allow their children to walk to their local primary school without having to worry about crossing a fast-moving road. Providing a safe crossing here would encourage walking, improve children’s independence and make the local neighbourhood safer for everyone.

Please investigate the Waverley Road / George V Avenue junction as a priority location for a formal pedestrian crossing as part of the Safer Walking consultation.