Residents near Shirley Park in Hurdis Road are growing increasingly frustrated over the council’s inaction on a long-requested pedestrian crossing. Campaigners say a safer crossing point at the park’s entrance is overdue, with pedestrian safety at risk every day.
A recent visit to the area highlighted the uncertainty between drivers and pedestrians navigating the current speed bump near Burman Infant School on Velsheda Road. While some motorists stop to let pedestrians cross, others speed past, ignoring the safety concerns.
Alan Wilson, a Shirley resident of 20 years, emphasized the urgency: “A crossing is definitely long overdue. I’ve signed petitions, but the council hasn’t responded. Many schoolchildren cut through here to the park, and this road has become a rat run to avoid Stratford Road. Traffic has tripled, and some drivers race, disregarding the bumps.”
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Mr. Wilson advocates for a pelican crossing as the most suitable solution. “This issue keeps resurfacing,” he added. “It’s wrong that we have to wait for a serious accident before the council acts.”
Bob, another long-term resident of over 30 years, shared his near-miss experiences: “There’s no official crossing, but drivers are supposed to stop. When parents park to visit the park, drivers still speed down the road, and cyclists do, too. The council claims a traffic study finds conditions acceptable, but I doubt they checked at peak times. Why do they continually refuse a crossing?”
Neighbors raised concerns about pedestrians risking their safety daily, with one stating, “I always stop when driving here, but many don’t. A zebra crossing would make crossing so much easier.”
Dog walkers also expressed anxiety over the unpredictability of drivers’ behavior. “You never know if a car will stop. It seems the council isn’t interested, especially if it costs money,” one resident remarked.
The issue has come before the council multiple times. At April’s full council meeting, Wendie Tilt presented a petition backed by around 400 residents. She stressed that the park entrance is regularly used by vulnerable people, including children, parents with pushchairs, and elderly residents.
“Despite numerous petitions over the years, the council has always said no. On May 9, 2025, a serious accident happened here, shaking our community. We are presenting this petition again because we refuse to accept no as an answer.”
In response, Councillor Ken Hawkins, cabinet portfolio holder for environment and infrastructure, acknowledged the concerns and explained that prior assessments found the site’s visibility adequate. However, he confirmed that officers will revisit the location to explore possible safety improvements.