I have recently contacted Lewisham Council explaining the need for a pedestrian crossing by Forest Hill Station entrance (from Perry Vale side).

This was my email:

I would like to request a new pedestrian crossing by the entrance to Forest Hill train station (from Perry Vale side).

Even though hundreds of people leave/come to this station every day there is no crossing on this road so at the moment people have to stand and wait until the road is clear.

I've seen myself loads of times people trying to cross the road in a dangerous manner because they were running late for a train. The cars don't stop and let people cross safely, so one day somebody will get injured. Also, there are many parents with small children coming up from the subway and crossing this road on their way to the nursery further down the road. They need a safer way to cross too.

I think a simple zebra crossing would significantly improve the safety of all those coming/leaving Forest Hill station as well as the those using the subway under the railway. It would also be convenient for people during the rush hours.

This was their reply:

Thank you for your email requesting formal crossing facilities in Perry Vale outside the station.

I am afraid the Council cannot introduce a pedestrian crossing at that location because the sight lines are not good enough. In other words pedestrians and vehicles approaching the crossing would not be able to see each other from a sufficient distance to allow vehicles to slow down and stop safely. However we recognise that this is the 'desire line' where people want to cross. That's why the engineers put a in flat top table as an informal crossing protected by speed cushions on either side of it to slow traffic down. A stretch of guard railing has been installed to encourage pedestrians to cross at the edge of the table where sightlines are best.

Sight lines around the bend in the road have been improved, as has pedestrian safety, by the recent widening of the footway and remodelling of the carriageway. Pedestrian improvements have been made along the length of road by the subway and these include a wider pavement, narrower carriageway, better crossing at the car park entrance and a flat topped speed reducing table by the subway where people want to cross. Prior to this work pedestrians crossed here unaided.

As I'm sure you appreciate, crossing on a bend can never be a safe option. What we have tried to do is to accommodate people's natural movement, as far as practicable. If residents are still worried we may look at extending the guard railing to prevent crossing at this point.

I'm afraid that other than extending the guardrailing to prevent people crossing too close to the bend there is little more we can do to improve the situation. Any design to install a formal crossing at this point would not pass a safety audit, and indeed would be likely to make the crossing less rather than more safe. This is because pedestrians tend to perceive formal crossings as safer and therefore take less care when crossing.

I understand you concerns but hope I've explained why a crossing is not a viable solution.

regards
Imogen Payami
Customer Contact and Information Manager - Transport
Wearside Service Centre
Wearside Road
Lewisham SE13 7EZ
Tel: 020 8314 2235
Email: imogen.payami@lewisham.gov.uk

Do you think the council has got a point or is this just an easy way to reject the requests and save some money?

500 metres further down Perry Vale (next to the primary school) the road is much more bendy but they have still managed to make a pedestrian refugee there, which is already an improvement in terms of safety.

What do you think - is it worth taking this matter further?