There is no safe marked pedestrian crossing on Watford Road, Northwood HA6. The only available marked crossing is uphill from Brookdene Drive in the opposite direction from Northwood High Street and Public Transport. This Zebra crossing is not suitable for pedestrians with disabilities and is on a 40 mile per hour speed limit road. This crossing is inefficient and ineffective. During peak hours it sits on a blind spot for on-coming traffic.
The only other crossing available is adjacent to a busy roundabout on Green Lane. This crossing is inefficient and ineffective for walkers, pedestrians, those with disabilities or prams as it makes it impossible to cross as cars cannot stop as they leave Green Lane to go on to Watford Road, especially during peak hours and the school run. They are simply accelerating. Walkers are being forced to run across the road. Elderly walkers are seen standing waiting on average for 10 cars to pass to find a pause long and safe enough to cross.
Cars are accelerating and speeding due to no speed enforcement measures. Cars accelerate upon joining Watford Road from Green Lane or continue on 40 miles per hour speed limit as they pass NATO HQ. It is impossible for walkers to safely cross the road or find a safe marked crossing at the middle of the road if fast cars quickly approach. There are no safety precautions in place for elderly walkers or those with disabilities.
At night residents can hear speed racing cars and it is nearly impossible for residents walking home at night to safely cross the road due to the sheer speed to which cars are racing on Watford Road.
There have been a number of traffic incidents on Watford road and most recently a grandmother picking up her grandson from school in the afternoon was run over on Watford Road opposite Brookdene Drive due to no safe passage to cross the road. There is a police and ambulance record on file as evidence.
There are a number of schools and nursing homes within a short radius of Watford Road so it is shocking that there are no marked safe crossing options available for walkers.
On reaching 20 signatures it will be formally considered by the Council and relevant Cabinet Member. Local ward Councillors will also be made aware of the petition. The Council's Democratic Services Team will keep the lead petitioner updated on progress.
This ePetition ran from 07/12/2022 to 08/01/2023 and has now finished.
79 people signed this ePetition.