County cash could fund a safe crossing

Fairmile, which links the town centre with the A338 at the Blackwater junction, is a nightmare for pedestrians to cross.

There have been reports of some elderly residents waiting for half-an-hour before finding a safe gap in the traffic.

That has led to calls for a pedestrian crossing close to residential homes for the elderly and Christchurch Hospital.

After a series of traffic surveys Dorset County Council eventually budgeted for a crossing to be constructed in the 2005/6 financial year.

But with local residents behind them, Portfield ward councillors Lillian Jefferis and Susan Darch campaigned for speedier action to overcome the problems.

At Wednesday's resources committee meeting Cllr Darch got fellow councillors to agree to pay for the project and claim the money back from the county council next year.

She said: "All councillors are aware that incorrect data was used on traffic surveys as far back as 1994."

The £32,750 cost of the crossing could be borrowed from the £224,100 budgeted for the Barrack Road/Stour Road scheme. That scheme has now been put on hold after a compulsory purchase order failed.

"If the crossing was not constructed until next year, any interest on the £32,750 would be far outweighed not only by the increased cost of labour, material and plant hire, but also the cost benefit of the welfare and safety of the Christchurch residents, as well as patients and visitors to the hospital," she said.

Cllr John Lofts said: "The committee would suggest that this work is progressed as soon as possible as stated by Cllr Mrs Darch."

Committee colleagues agreed the best time would be to carry out the work between now and mid-December when the Blackwater junction scheme is carried out as there will be less traffic using Fairmile. "What we would ask is that this council speaks strongly to the county council to progress this matter," said Cllr Lofts.

First published: August 27