Last updated at 21:03, Thursday, 19 January 2012

Plans to replace a zebra crossing on Cockermouth’s Main Street with a controversial ‘courtesy crossing’ have been scrapped.

The final designs for the Main Street improvements were approved by a steering group on Tuesday.

The crossing by the junction of Station Street will remain as a zebra and not become a courtesy crossing, which would not require drivers to stop.

Many residents feared a courtesy crossing, which was revealed on plans put out to public consultation, would become dangerous at busy times.

A steering group, with representatives from the county council, Allerdale council, Cockermouth town council and community organisations, this week decided to opt for a standard zebra crossing.

They plan to use natural stone materials in the scheme where possible.

Gordon Henry, 44, of The Paddocks, Great Broughton, who objected to the courtesy crossing, said: “This is excellent news that the steering group has listened to people’s concerns.”

A spokesman for the county council, which is leading the project, confirmed that Main Street’s avenue of lime trees would be retained.

There had been fears they might be felled and replaced with younger trees.

The pavements will be widened slightly to give the trees more space and there will be some changes to bus stops and disc parking bays.

A proposal to make the road and pavement the same level with a strip of tactile pacing between them was also scrapped.

The steering group will now move to stage two of the detailed design.

The spokesman said: “There were some reservations and common concerns which has led to certain elements being re-evaluated and modified for the final design.

“Final design drawings and images, along with a summary of feedback from the most recent drop-in events, will shortly be available on the county council website.”

He said there was a need to look at details and locations of heritage hubs including bus stops, shelters and display panels, and there would be consultations with businesses.

It is hoped that work will start by the middle of this year.

First published at 19:25, Thursday, 19 January 2012
Published by http://www.timesandstar.co.uk