WE want our bleeps back.

That’s the plea from Parkstone residents after work done to improve busy junctions led to the removal of audible signals.

Cllr Marion Le Poidevin who represents Branksome West, said that while local people were on the whole happy with work done to improve the Ashley Road junctions with Mansfield/Victoria and Churchill/Richmond Roads, they were not content with the silent traffic signals.

“I have been contacted by many residents who want the bleeps back,” said Cllr Le Poidevin. “They feel less safe crossing the road without them and I am delighted the committee agreed with their concerns.”

The silent crossings were raised at a meeting of Borough of Poole’s transportation advisory group where she proposed that the bleepers be reinstated, which was approved by the group.

Cllr Brian Clements spoke of the difficulties of partially-sighted people, as only one person at a time can use the rotating knob and when a large number of people are waiting to cross it can be difficult to get near the signal box and see the green man.

“It is particularly bad because the green man timing is so short,” said Cllr Clements. “I actually witnessed one lady miss the green phase altogether and have to wait a complete cycle before she felt safe to cross.”

The work was carried out as part of a £1million scheme to improve travel in Ashley Road.

Cllr Ann Stribley, chairman of the transportation advisory group, said audible signals were not being provided at refurbished signals for a number of reasons including causing confusion to pedestrians and said all new crossings have a rotating cone.

“However the crossings on Ashley Road are somewhat different as there is an ‘all green’ phase for pedestrians to cross.

“The Transport Advisory Group is therefore recommending that these two junctions, at Mansfield Road and Richmond Road, should be provided with ‘bleepers’ in response to residents’ requests and concerns,” she said.