Residents petition for changes to the California Cross leaf design, citing safety concerns for pedestrians.
A council committee will talk about it on March 4. They will review a petition.
The road now has a leaf design after a £5.5 million project. This project created two roundabouts, each with three exits. Painted leaves add color. White leaves, replacing normal crosswalks, show where people cross.
Over 1,600 people signed a petition, which was submitted to the council in January.
Councillor Peter Harper submitted the petition. He argues that the road markings confuse drivers, and drivers don’t always yield to walkers.
The petition calls for regular roundabouts and zebra crossings.
The council reviewed the road’s safety and rejected some ideas. They didn’t add islands to the roundabouts, for example.
A company, WSP, conducted a safety audit in September of 2024. The council requested this audit to review the junction.
The audit offered several suggestions for improvement. These included “Look both ways” markings, arrow markings for roundabouts, and central islands.
Further suggestions aimed to reduce collision risks. Better signage for a gas station and trimming plants for visibility were also recommended. The council accepted these additional ideas.
Council leaders defend the road, stating that they are proud of its design.
Martin Alder, in charge of transport, supports the design. He cites a report stating that they followed the rules.
According to the rules, patterns are allowed for crossings, as long as those patterns do not resemble zebra crossings.
Informal crossings can incorporate color, raised roads, and patterned materials.
The report cited a government manual allowing for creative designs. These unique designs can be safe without standard features.
Council officers will answer questions during the debate on Tuesday, March 4.