A WELL-USED short cut across one of Teignmouth's busiest roads is to be made safer for pedestrians, but plans do not go far enough according to one campaigning councillor.
The well-worn grass verges on either side of the Higher Brook Street from Shute Hill to the town's largest supermarket, The Co-op, are testament to the busy route.
At the moment, walkers dodge the railings that guide them towards a safer route into town to cut across the road.
There is an island in between the two-lane traffic so people can stop and look before moving on. But calls to put in a more official crossing have been set aside. A 142-signature petition called for a visible zebra crossing to make drivers more aware of the dangers.
But highways engineers maintain that such plans would cause more congestion on the already busy road. Instead, they plan to extend the length of the island with improved walkways on the worn grass verges.
An additional bollard will alert traffic. They are, however, ensuring infrastructure is in place for a more sophisticated system should the need arise at a later date. It is thought that a zebra crossing would add just £2,000 to the cost of the works.
County councillor Chris Bray has been campaigning for a proper crossing for the past year. He picked up the campaign started by town and district Cllr David Weekes. Cllr Bray said he is 'bitterly disappointed' by the decision. 'District councillors and the town council plus a large number of signatories to a petition wanted a crossing there.
'I thought the process would be straightforward. The cost of a zebra crossing is only £2,000 more than a refuge and while I welcome the plans for a pathway, I just cannot see why the whole job is not completed now,' he said.
He said that the plans would be 'little better that what is currently in place'. Teignmouth woman Ann Roswell was knocked down by a driver near the spot in June.
She said that a more visible crossing would alert drivers to the busy pedestrian use of the road. But she said the main problem is that drivers are able to take a right turn from the Co-op car park across the on-coming traffic. 'Before you know it the car is right on top of you,' she said. 'I think a more official crossing would help because it is a black spot there,' said Mrs Rosewell. Teignbridge MP Richard Younger-Ross has supported the campaign. 'I am very sorry that just when people thought they were to get a proper crossing, the scheme has been downgraded to a refuge,' he said. Cllr Bray said he would continue to press for a more prominent crossing at the site.