A highway pedestrian crossing at a busy roundabout labelled a danger to users has been taken out of commission after roads chiefs admitted it was built without approval.
The crossing – on the 40mph Esterley Tibbetts Highway near West Bay’s Governor’s Way – has been stripped of crosswalk signs and workers will paint out the remaining silver crosswalk construction lines.
The news came after members of the public said the crossing had been placed far too close to the roundabout and was a menace to road users and dangerous for pedestrians.
Edward Howard, the managing director of the National Roads Authority (NRA), said in an email, “There was an internal miscommunication on NRA’s part and this proposal did not go through the proper channels …”
He explained the crossing should have gone to the Traffic Management Panel (TMP) for review before work started under rules contained in the Road Traffic Act.
Howard said, “We hope to have the matter reviewed by the TMP later in the month.”
He added, “I do agree that a crossing, if formalised at this location, should be far enough away from the roundabout exit to allow for safe sight line and safe vehicle stopping distance.”
Residents’ fears
The Compass visited the site and spoke to nearby residents, who insisted the crossing’s location was unsafe.
A man and woman in their 40s, who asked not to be named, said that a crossing was needed on the busy highway, but that it should be an overpass.
The woman said, “Where it is now is an incitement to people to cross and it’s dangerous. It’s far too close to a big roundabout which cars don’t lose speed going through.”
The man said, “There is a crossing further down, but it’s too far away from here. People won’t walk that distance to use it.”
He added, “An overpass here would be far better and safer. These things should be considered when roads like this are built.”
Another middle-aged man parking at his home on nearby Peninsula Avenue agreed that people took their lives in their hands if they tried to cross the four-lane dual carriageway at present.
‘Crazy’ site
But he said, “Where that crossing has been put is just crazy. Something needs to be done, but that is not the answer. A lot of people have been talking about it.”
One member of the public was so astonished at the siting of the crosswalk, they contacted the Compass to complain and asked the newspaper to find out why the NRA “thinks it is a good location”.
The Traffic Act set up the Traffic Management Panel, which includes the managing director of the NRA and the Commissioner of Police.
The panel’s responsibilities include advising the cabinet on pedestrian crossings and all proposals are required to be reviewed before the appropriate minister designates sites for crossings.
The NRA has been asked how much the crossing cost to build and if it would now be removed.
The authority was also asked what the “internal miscommunication” that led to the creation of the crossing without the proposal going through the proper channels and what could to done to avoid similar foul-ups in the future.
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A place for people to cross the highway is needed in that area is but not on the highway road where cars are driving at 40 miles per hour. It’s called a highway for a reason… meant to move cars quickly. Not stop for pedestrians. An overpass is the proper solution. Where people walk over the road.
This is my favorite crosswalk to use in the Cayman Islands along with ALT to stop and impede traffic. Nothing like seeing cars backed up at ALT in both directions.
NRA brains at work. Need to send them to a country with an overpass and educate them.
Congratulations to the Compass for furthering public concerns on this particular issue, and in general. Kudos to Mr. Howard of NRA for accepting that a mistake was made. That alone is uncharacteristic for most higher-ups in our public services……usually it’s denial, deflection and finger pointing.
Now to the TMP. If things such as the safe and logical placement of pedestrian crossings are under the remit of an entire multi-agency panel, the question is why? Such a body seems like an unnecessary, cost-adding, time-wasting impediment. What happened to simple common sense in determining safe and practical locations for traffic control assets?
Further, Mr. Howard states that the matter will be reviewed by the TMP “later this month”. Why waste time to “review” something which has already been exposed and been acknowledged as being dangerous and impractical?
TMP, here’s a tip. Instead of placing that moot topic on the agenda of your meeting later this month, please “review” the placement of the push-button lights at the new pedestrian crossings which aren’t as dangerous as the proposed GH roundabout crossing and arrange to place the lights a bit farther from each crossing. It gives the unthinking pedestrian a few more steps to make before stepping on the crossing and thus, gives drivers a bit more reaction time. The lights haven’t been installed as yet, so there’s time to DO IT RIGHT the first time!
You can’t fix stupid but you can plan for it!!
How about fixing the speed “bump” outside Butterfield Bank. It is by far the highest on the island. It almost needs 4 wheel drive to surmount it. What were the NRA thinking?,were they trying to deter would be bank robbers?.