Planning application (Passed): Zebra crossings for Radipole Park Drive

Yesterday Weymouth Town Councillor Matt Bell proposed some important changes to Radipole Park Drive in a new planning application. It included five new zebra crossings that will improve safety for pedestrians needing to cross the road. 

The application proposed that they be placed at major crossing points along the road:

1. At the end of the path from Coronation Crescent at the northern end of the community orchard.
2. Crossing the road at the entrance to the childrens climbing frame area and café.
3. Crossing the road next to the tennis club car park.
4. Crossing the road at the current path that enters the roadway through the hedge and meets the footbridge over the railway.
5.  Crossing the road at the southern end of Radipole Gardens, alongside the Food Warehouse by Iceland.

The planning application has now been passed with an amendment that locations 1 and 2 be prioritised. 

You can read the full planning application below. 

Radipole Park Drive is a 40mph road leading into a residential area at the northern end and the town centre to the south. Along its path it passes a popular nature reserve, community orchard, playing fields, tennis club, public gardens, car parking, a busy retail and industrial area, and once developments are completed, playground, café, pétanque terrain and sensory garden. This is already a well-used amenity area, with footfall likely to increase after the upgrades are completed, particularly by elderly and young members of the community. 

The road is currently flanked by a cycle path and pedestrian path on the opposite side to all amenities other than the nature reserve. This leads to many individuals and families crossing a 40mph with no assistance or safety measures. Groups of young people also cross the road without adult supervision and zebra crossings would ease concerns about safety. The hedgerows also frequently reduce visibility for pedestrians and hazard perception for drivers. 

We would like to see zebra crossings added to all major crossing points.

1. At the end of the path from Coronation Crescent at the northern end of the community orchard.
2. Crossing the road at the entrance to the childrens climbing frame area and café.
3. Crossing the road next to the tennis club car park.
4. Crossing the road at the current path that enters the roadway through the hedge and meets the footbridge over the railway.
5.  Crossing the road at the southern end of Radipole Gardens, alongside the Food Warehouse by Iceland.

Cllr Matt Bell

10th September 2023