A DANGEROUS pedestrian crossing lottery is causing deep concern for users of a busy road after delays have hit its proposed removal. Dunmow town councillors have highlighted the zebra crossing on the town s High Street as an accident waiting to happen

A "DANGEROUS" pedestrian crossing lottery is causing deep concern for users of a busy road after delays have hit its proposed removal.

Dunmow town councillors have highlighted the zebra crossing on the town's High Street as an "accident waiting to happen" - and they have demanded its immediate removal.

Since building work began in the eastern sector of the town centre, the crossing - located opposite the post office - has been closed. Over six months ago signs were also put up to inform people not to cross.

However, it has emerged that swathes of local pedestrians are still using the crossing and ignoring signs - causing vehicles to break sharply.

Dunmow traffic management committee chairman, Wendy Barron, said: "Something needs to be done about it because it is dangerous. I can see an accident happening there and the pedestrian would blame the driver and the driver would blame the pedestrian. All it needs is a tin of black paint or something."

The crossing is the responsibility of the housing developers, Taylor Woodrow, that are building in the area and they have assured councillors that the work will be done at the earliest possible time.

Essex highways officer, Chris Stoneham, has been overseeing traffic issues in the town for a number of years and he said that he expected all the work to be completed before the end of September.

He said: "It is up to the developer Taylor Woodrow to complete and pay for the works in that area. Traffic lights are due to be installed at the end of September anyway and by that time I would expect the crossing to be removed completely."

In the meantime the lines on the road are set to be darkened in an effort to stop people from using the crossing.

So far no serious accidents have occurred. However, shopkeepers in the area have reported a number of what they described as "near misses."

Dunmow town councillor, Phil Milne, said: "At the moment people are crossing and cars either stop or don't stop. It has become a bit of a lottery."

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