NOSTALGIA: West Street zebra crossing concern in 1965

Looking down West Street from the direction of Sleaford Road.

The road was in the news that week for the condition – and location – of its pedestrian crossing.

Mrs R. Baxter, of Portland Street, had raised concern with the council about the faded, once-white stripes, but then approached the Standard after no action appeared to follow.

“I’m not fussing over nothing,” she said. “There are hundreds of children crossing there.”

The West Street pedestrian crossing, looking up George Street towards the former site of Staniland Primary School and St James' Church.

Mrs Baxter also questioned the location of the crossing.

“The motorists coming out of George Street are so busy looking left and right for traffic, they don’t have time for the zebra crossing,” she said. “You’ve only got to stand there 10 minutes to see the number of near-misses.”

“Couldn’t it be moved away from the corner, nearer the police station?” she asked.

With regard to re-painting the crossing, borough surveyor Mr C. R. Theobald said: “We can’t put that stuff down except in certain weather conditions which are very rare at this time of the year – the surface has to be dry for one thing.”

“Also, we are going to experiment with a new substance which should have a much longer life than the plastic paint. Furthermore, our plastic paint boilers needs replacement.”