Controversial school crossing removed in Hove being replaced

The elevated crossing, which was painted bright red, started eroding due to recent cold weather. This led to the council removing it entirely with people claiming it was a “trip hazard”.

King's Secondary School and West Blatchington Primary and Nursery School which are in Hangleton Way, Hove, want a traditional zebra crossing put in and argue that the old red crossing was not obvious for cars to let pupils cross.

Both schools are concerned the road is an “accident waiting to happen” – especially due to King’s School’s growing numbers which are set to reach 1,050 by 2024.

• READ MORE: 'Accident waiting to happen' - calls to make road used by hundreds of children safer to cross

But another red crossing the same as the last one is being put in next week by the council, rather than the zebra crossing which people are calling for. This will be at "no extra cost" to the council.

A Brighton and Hove City Council spokesman said the previous red square "unfortunately failed" likely due to frost getting underneath it which caused the surface to expand.

The council has said in the past it has worked with the school to discourage parents from parking right next to the school at drop-off and pick-up times to help prevent parked cars causing blind spots, which could lead to an accident.

Left shows remnants of the current crossing, right shows where the red surface has been washing away

The council is also “aware of concerns” raised by the schools, adding that two calendar-controlled warning signs were being put in on the road which only operate during school term time. A spokesman told The Argus these are with the contractor waiting to be installed.

Stuart Everard, premises manager for West Blatchington Primary School and Nursery, said: “The situation can only get worse because King’s School isn’t even at capacity yet. If that school was at capacity it could get even worse.

“We need a dedicated crossing so cars know they have to stop when children are on the side of the pavement.”

King's School currently has 750 pupils, while West Blatchington Primary and Nursery school has 240.

From left, Cllr. Nick Lewry, Carly Regan, business manager, Stuart Everard, premises manager, and Cllr. Dawn Barnett

Carly Regan, business manager for West Blatchington Primary School and Nursery, said: “The safety of our school community is of paramount importance, we think it’s reasonable to expect a safe designated crossing for our children that is visible to pedestrians and motorists.

“We have had five near misses in the last 10 months and the majority of those have been influenced by a lack of visibility.”

Dawn Barnett, Conservative councillor for Hangleton and Knoll, said the situation is “very urgent” and needs to be addressed. She added that a petition is currently online to get the crossing discussed in the next full council meeting.

A council spokesman said: "The red surfacing on the crossing was removed at the end of last week as the material had unfortunately failed.

“We think this was because frost got underneath it and expanded.

“The red surfacing is being replaced by the contractor at no cost to the council next week.

“The two calendar controlled signs arrived a few days ago. These are now with the contractor awaiting installation."

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