New £332,000 pedestrian crossing approved on busy Totnes road
Plans for a new pedestrian crossing in Totnes have been approved following ongoing concerns from residents about the difficulties of safely crossing the road.
A new pedestrian crossing has been approved in Totnes on one of the key routes connecting the town to Torbay.
A proposal for a new pedestrian crossing on the busy Bridgetown Hill in Totnes has been given the green light, following ongoing concerns from residents about the difficulty of crossing the road.
It will be built on the A385, just west of Blackpost Lane, which is the main route connecting Totnes and Paignton.
The crossing is expected to make it easier for pedestrians to navigate the busy road and access nearby bus stops, with a survey recording more than 16,000 vehicles travelling along Bridgetown Hill between 7am and 7pm.
With accessibility in mind, the crossing will have pedestrian signals, push buttons and paving to help people with visual impairments.
Double yellow lines around the crossing have also been proposed and will help keep drivers’ view of the crossing clear.
In order to make way for the new crossing, the two nearby bus stops will subsequently be moved a short distance west.
The proposal received backing at a site meeting which involved councillors, Totnes Town Council, Bridgetown Alive and the resident who brought forward the petition.
The design and cost of the crossing is £332,000.
Councillor Jacqi Hodgson, Chair of the South Hams Highways and Traffic Orders Committee, said: “This is a busy road and we know how difficult it can be for people to get across it, so I’m really pleased we can now move ahead with this crossing.”
“It follows concerns raised by local people over a number of years and will make a real difference for people living in Bridgetown, including those trying to reach the bus stops on either side of the road.”
“With thousands of vehicles using Bridgetown Hill every day, giving people a safe, clear place to cross will be a very welcome improvement.”
Formal notices outlining the proposed crossing and changes to parking restrictions will now be advertised, with nearby residents also informed of the plans.