A COUNCIL highways boss has responded to residents who fear the removal of the traffic lights on Abbotsbury Road in Weymouth will have 'detrimental effect' on pedestrians - particularly the disabled and elderly.
Michael Kelly, president of Weymouth and Portland Access Group, said he objects to Dorset Council's plan to remove the pedestrian crossing on the Abbotsbury Road-Holland Road junction.
READ MORE: Letter: Objection to Dorset Highways for removal of traffic lights in Abbotsbury Road
He also said the removal of this crossing will have a 'disproportionally high detrimental impact on people with disabilities, on elderly people, and on people caring for young children'.
READ MORE: Concerns for Dorset Council's decision to remove traffic lights in Abbotsbury Road, Weymouth
But Cllr Ray Bryan, Dorset Council's portfolio holder for highways, travel and environment, said: "Dorset Council reviews all crossings when they reach the end of their maintainable life to decide whether they’re worth keeping.
"A survey of pedestrians and vehicles in the vicinity of the crossing was undertaken last year, and it was determined that the current usage no longer meets the criteria for a signal-controlled crossing.
"One reason for the reduced use of the crossing is the traffic signals at the Abbotsbury Road-Newstead Road junction were upgraded in 2018 and new pedestrian crossing facilities were provided on all four approaches.
"This crossroads is only 80 metres west of the old crossing we’re looking to remove.
"Discussions were held with Dorset councillors, Weymouth Town Council, Dorset Police and the local housing association, who all agreed with the decision to remove the crossing.
"In April 2021, a three-week public consultation was carried out on the proposal to remove the crossing.
"Public notices of intent were placed in prominent locations either side of the crossing, with further details available on Dorset Council’s website. We only received one objection to the removal.
"A draft committee report on the proposed removal was produced, setting out the reasons for the proposed removal and details of the objection.
"Considering the report and all the available data, an executive decision to recommend removal of the crossing was made by myself on June 18."
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