Parents with young children are taking their lives in their hands every time they step onto a zebra crossing outside a Fife nursery, a local councillor has claimed.
The crossing outside Woodlands Nursery Centre and Family Unit in Methil has been branded a ‘death trap’ by Councillor John O’Brien, who said he had recently witnessed a number of near misses when drivers had failed to stop as families crossed.
He told The Courier it was only a matter of time before someone was badly hurt or even killed.
Police have stepped in to monitor the behaviour of drivers to ensure they stop when pedestrians are on the crossing but Mr O’Brien says that is not enough.
He has called on Fife Council to increase safety by introducing traffic lights at the Methilhaven Road site, a measure which has been installed at other crossings in the area.
“The crossing is really bad there and a lot of cars are simply not stopping for families,” he said.
“I stood and watched a couple with a buggy with a baby in it step onto the zebra crossing and a van continued right over it at 30 or 40mph.
“There have been a few near misses and I have had nine or 10 people saying it’s a death trap and an accident waiting to happen.”
Mr O’Brien said two people had been knocked down on another zebra crossing just a few hundred yards up the road from the one in question last year.
“It’s just a matter of time before the same thing happens here,” he added.
“It’s right outside a nursery so there are always young children crossing.
“I wouldn’t advise anybody to step out onto a zebra crossing unless they want to risk their lives.”
Ian Smith, lead professional traffic management (Mid Fife), said: “We have discussed the operation of the zebra crossing with police and they have visited the nursery to discuss the concerns with parents. They will also be monitoring the behaviour of drivers to help ensure they stop when pedestrians are on the crossing.”
He added: “The potential for additional work at the crossing will be discussed with ward councillors as part of the discussions on the next area transportation works programme.”