Community councillor questions legal status of Wick's stripeless zebra crossings
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Highland Council has been urged to set out in black and white when two Wick zebra crossings will get their long-awaited stripes.
The crossings, in close proximity near the junction of Thurso Road and Bankhead Road, have been left unmarked since resurfacing work was carried out last June.
Community council treasurer Joanna Coghill has become increasingly frustrated over the delay and has now questioned their legal status.
“Are they legal zebra crossings or are they illegal zebra crossings? I can't find out the answer to that," Mrs Coghill said at the March meeting of the Royal Burgh of Wick Community Council (RBWCC).
"There are signs to say they are zebra crossings, and flashing lights, but no white lines. Very few people stop and it's getting worse.”
At the community council's October meeting, an exasperated Mrs Coghill declared: "If they give me a pot of paint I'll go and do it myself."
She acknowledged that road workers "did a fantastic job" of resurfacing but pointed out that the two zebra crossings are part of Highland Council's Safer Routes to School initiative.
Speaking after this week's RBWCC meeting, Mrs Coghill said: "I'm so frustrated at this.
"I've tried to see online if this is a legal crossing or not, seeing there are signs, and flashing lights. Every day it's a case of 'will they, won't they stop'.
"Driving instructors stop when they are out with pupils, so I'm going to assume it is a legal crossing. However, you should never assume.
"There are a few who stop, and I usually acknowledge this.
"We've been told by Highland Council at various community council meetings that they are chasing this with the contractor, but here we are over eight months on and still no white lines.
"I understand Highland Council needs to concentrate on the poor conditions of the town's roads and pavements, and this is a priority, but someone should have been responsible for ensuring this work was completed."
Highland Council has been invited to comment.
