A Ramsgate mum says she is ‘over the moon’ that a zebra crossing is expected to be installed on a road where her son was seriously injured after being hit by a car on his way home from school.
Mum-of-six Gemma Bellingham raised a petition following the incident in January 2022 when her son Lincoln, then 11, was hit by a vehicle in Margate Road on his way home from Royal Harbour Academy.
He was treated at the scene and taken to QEQM Hospital before being airlifted to Kings College Hospital suffering with a fractured skull and hematoma, multiple cuts on his face and legs and bruising to his ribs.
Following this, Gemma launched the petition for a crossing at the viaduct end of the road in a bid to make sure no-one else’s child was hurt or worse as they attempted to cross.
Now, councillors at a Joint Transportation Meeting to be held on September 12 are expected to recommend the project goes ahead for the crossing near the junction with Newlands Road and Whitehall Road on the approach to the viaduct.
Gemma said: “It’s brilliant news, the children will finally have a safe place to cross. It will benefit children and drivers who have to stop because of children darting out.
“I’m over the moon and so glad it is finally happening and will hopefully stop anything like what happened to Lincoln ever happening again.
“It’s a long time coming. That road is so busy and dangerous. Lots of children cross there, not just from Royal Harbour Academy but from other schools too and for many who were being taken to primary by their parents, this is the first time of walking to school by themselves and learning to be independent.
“I am so happy the crossing will finally be there.”
Lincoln, now 14, is back at school full-time and starting his GCSEs this year.
Gemma said: “He has recovered well although there are a few issues, like getting over-tired, due to the fractured skull and brain injury but he is at school full-time, just starting Year 10 and his GCSEs.”
A report to councillors says a survey was carried out in May 2022 to monitor the number of people crossing near the junction and the results show a formal crossing at this location is justified.
A short consultation was held in May and June this year with Kent County Council saying: “We are proposing these works to provide a safer crossing point in this part of Margate Road for pedestrians, including students travelling to and from Royal Harbour Academy (lower site) and children with parents travelling to Foreland Fields Primary School.”
Of those who responded 70% were in support, 27% objected and 3% were not specified. KCC say the results may have been affected by recently installed double yellow lines as part of a bus improvement scheme which has been unpopular with some residents.
The report to councillors says: “A petition requesting a formal crossing at this location was received by KCC following a crash which resulted in serious injury and the school child being airlifted to a London Hospital.
“An officer from (the) Road Safety and Active Travel Community Engagement Team met both County Members (Karen Constantine and Trevor Shonk) on site and they have both given their support to the proposal.
“A successful bid was made for this project to be funded through the Local Transport Plan.”
The scheme will cost approximately £65,000 and will involve:
- Removing the southern pedestrian island (closest to the viaduct) and replace it with a new zebra crossing. The zebra crossing would include zig-zag lines, striped markings, and flashing orange ‘belisha’ beacon lanterns.
- Widening the footway either side of Newlands Road to reduce the distance pedestrians need to cross. Widening the footway on the opposite side of the road was considered but as it would affect driveway access, widening by Newlands Road was the preferred option.
- Installing bollards on the widened footways to prevent cars parking where they might block sightlines for the zebra crossing and therefore compromising road safety.
- Installing high friction surfacing on the approaches to the zebra crossing.
- Removing the pedestrian island in Whitehall Road to enable large vehicles to turn into and out of the road and install a new dropped kerb.
- The existing pedestrian refuge located outside no.116 would remain, and the dropped kerbs and tactile paving would be improved at all crossing points.
Committee members are asked to recommend going ahead with the zebra crossing project when they meet on September 12. If approved work is expected to start in winter 2024/25.
County Councillor Karen Constantine said: ““I’m very pleased to hear we are getting a zebra crossing on Margate Road, it’s a busy stretch of road, used by a lot of people, including teenagers going to and from school.
“I understand this crossing has been funded out of BSIP (bus service improvement plan) money. It’s been difficult to identify the value of this central government cash, which can only be used for ‘improvements’ in particular areas.
“It’s a shame we can’t have more zebra crossings where they are needed, such as Dumpton Park Road and elsewhere in Ramsgate. KCC need to take more action to improve road safety for pedestrians across Ramsgate.”
