New zebra crossings could be installed along Portsmouth road to create safer school route

A public consultation has now opened on implementing two zebra crossings and speed humps in Airport Service Road in Copnor in a bid to make it safer for students of Admiral Lord Nelson School.

It comes as six accidents have been recorded along the road in the past five years.

Portsmouth City Council's project manager for the safer travel team, Phil Rennie, said: ‘Portsmouth City Council has continued to invest in school education and road safety campaigns.

‘This has helped reduce the number of pedestrian casualties, especially for secondary age children. Child casualties in Portsmouth have halved between 2011 and 2016.

‘However, young people remain a high proportion of the pedestrian casualties in the city.

‘Airport Service Road has been highlighted as a key route to Admiral Lord Nelson School, and a key road to offer improved provision of safer pedestrian access.

‘In addition, high vehicle speeds on Airport Service Road have been recorded at an 85th percentile speed of 38mph, and an average speed of 30mph, requiring accompanying speed reduction infrastructure to be installed alongside any proposed pedestrian crossing facilities.

‘Six accidents (slight severity) have been recorded along the route over the last five years.’

Views on the zebra crossings, which would be installed near the junctions at Robinson Way and just after Dundas Lane, have to be made by August 14 to be considered by the council.

Mr Rennie added: 'Responses from all residents and businesses in the affected roads will be considered before any further action is taken. Please note that any feedback received after the closing date will not be taken into account.'

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It is thought the first crossing, by Robinson Way, will be paid for by the council and the second will be funded by local businesses.

Residents and businesses wishing to provide feedback can either the write to the safer travel team at Portsmouth's civic offices, or by emailing [email protected], by August 14.

The Admiral Lord Nelson School was approached for comment.

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