A zebra crossing is about to be installed to help local residents cross a busy west Leeds street.
The new crossing for Swinnow Road is the latest in a package of road and parking improvements in an area which suffers from heavy traffic from the nearby Bramley Station and Morrison’s supermarket.
The Dispatch reported in May how a £95,000 scheme saw two mini roundabouts installed at the junction of Swinnow Road and the Stanningley Bypass, along with a traffic island and the resurfacing of the road. The move was criticised by some drivers, who found the junction confusing. A Dispatch poll found more then 80% felt the roundabouts hadn’t improved the junction.
In June Pudsey councillor Richard Lewis defended the scheme, urging drivers to ‘use common sense‘. He also said at the time that councillors had hoped for another crossing closer to Morrisons, but that this had proven difficult. He added:
“I think we’d all have liked another zebra on the Morrisons side, but to do this safely it would have had to be several car lengths down the slip road in order to give drivers a chance to see and stop for pedestrians – but then you know that a lot of pedestrians would have opted to cross at the top because it’s more convenient.”
However, the council has now confirmed that a zebra crossing WILL be put in place between Sunnyside Road and the railway bridge, giving local people a safer way to cross the busy road.
Work will be taking place from today, with the works expecting to be completed in around one week.
Councillor Josie Jarosz (Labour, Pudsey) said today:
“It can often be hard to cross busy roads and Swinnow Road is certainly no exception. Putting a zebra crossing at this point will give local families and children a safer place to cross, whilst hopefully not leading to any untoward delays for drivers.”
Last month it was reported that parking restrictions will be introduced under Bramley railway bridge following concerns by local residents about increased parking on the narrow stretch of road by Bramley Station commuters.
What do you think? Will all the work make Swinnow Road safer from drivers and pedestrians? Have your say below.