Residents had concerns about crossing

George Dawson
Authored by George Dawson
Posted Monday, September 1, 2014 - 9:52pm

Residents living close to a pedestrian crossing where a 12-year-old boy was killed, today said they had predicted a serious accident would happen there.

The collision with a lorry happened on the crossing on the Topsham side of Countess Wear roundabout last Thursday afternoon (28 August).

The boy, from Exeter, sustained serious injuries and was taken to Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital where he was pronounced deceased shortly after arrival. The lorry driver was uninjured.

And today local residents voiced their fears that unless changes are made this wouldn't be the last serious incident.

They point to the fact that the crossing is just a few feet away from the Countess Wear roundabout and on a blind bend.

One elderly gentleman out walking his dog near the scene told The Exeter Daily he was sad but not surprised the accident had happened.

"The problem is that drivers unfamiliar with the area come down Rydon Lane, which is a fast road, turn at the roundabout and before they know it they are upon the crossing," he said.

"I don't know exactly what happened but it's a very poorly designed stretch of road. The crossing should be moved further down."

Another resident, waiting for a bus with her children, said she had always worried about the safety of the junction and crossing.

"It just doesn't seem to be in the right place. It would be better opposite here (the bus stop)," she added.

A spokesman for Devon County Council said that no accidents have been reported on that crossing in the last five years.

He said: “Countess Wear roundabout is a well known accident blackspot, and we are working with the police to deal with the crossing itself.”

Police are carrying out an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the collision and are appealing for any witnesses to contact them on 101, quoting log 480 of 28/08/2014.

Driving instructors join appeal

http://www.theexeterdaily.co.uk/news/instructors-join-appeal-after-fatality

Tributes left for 12-year-old

http://www.theexeterdaily.co.uk/news/tributes-boy-who-died

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