Crossing move to relieve congesion in Sun Street

Notices have gone up in Sun Street announcing plans to move the crossing further along the road, so it is away from the High Street roundabout.

The crossing – currently outside the Rising Sun pub – will be moved 50 feet up the road and be converted to a Puffin crossing, controlled by traffic lights.

Jim Devlin, vice-chairman of Billericay Town Council, can’t wait for it to happen.

He said: “It’s about time, too. It’s taken a long time to come to fruition, but overall, I think moving the crossing will be a good thing.

“It certainly ought to ease congestion.”

Mr Devlin said Billericay had big rush-hour traffic problems, with lines of vehicles building up all the way from Billericay School past the Southend Road roundabout.

He said: “A new crossing will ease that, because it will allow more cars to approach the Sun Corner roundabout at one time.”

The proposal is the result of extensive consultations in the area. Notices posted on the street invite local views on the change, which must be submitted by Thursday.

Not everyone agrees with Mr Devlin, however. Joan Smith, who lives in nearby School Road, said moving the crossing would mean a longer walk for pedestrians walking from Laindon Road to the railway station, at the other end of the High Street, She said: “It will mean people will just take a chance and try and cross at Sun Corner, which could cause more accidents.

“Why is the council giving cars more priority than pedestrians?”

Mr Devlin conceded pedestrians would have to walk further, but said safety was unlikely to be compromised, The proposal included new railings at Sun Corner to make it hard to cross the road there.

Sue Hammond, headteacher of Billericay School, welcomed the changes.

She said: “Our concern is children arrive at school safely and on time.

“If this change to the crossing improves pedestrian safety, helps to alleviate congestion and improves traffic flow, I am happy to see it go ahead.”