A RESIDENT in Christchurch has been fined £130 from the police after painting a temporary zebra crossing on Chichester Way.

Laurie Phillips, who lives on the approach to Mudeford Quay, decided to paint his own crossing at a dropped kerb along the road as his disabled wife, and other elderly residents and families with young children, have experienced difficulties whilst trying to cross the street.

After a busy summer for visitors at Mudeford Quay, despite the ongoing pandemic, Mr Phillips contacted the council about the lack of management of the car park and suggested installing a crossing whilst road markings were being re-done in the area at the end of July.

After getting no response, he warned the council that I would take matter into his own hands and paint the markings in August.

The 78-year-old said: “I was communicating with our local Mudeford councillors and Vikki Slade, head of the council at the time, as well as the officers who are responsible for line painting.

“I gave clear warning that I would paint it if nothing was done by August 10. At no time did I have any response tell me I wasn’t to do it or should not do it.

“I personally paid over £100 for materials and three of us took two hours each to paint it. One might think a contribution to the wellbeing of those I live near and all the visitors who come here would be welcomed by a cash strapped council?”

Mr Phillips argued that his wife, who requires the use of a mobility scooter, and other disabled residents, was being discriminated against under the Equality Act 2010.

In my view, this prosecution, which started last August and is only now coming to a resolution, has been a complete waste of valuable police time

The lack of a pedestrian crossing along Chichester Road was also argued to put the lives of local at risk, due to high volumes of HGV traffic, numbers of vulnerable pedestrians and parents with pushchairs.

Mr Phillips contended that him painting a temporary crossing was no different to people around the country painting messages of thanks to the NHS and rainbows on tarmacked roads.

Having lodged a formal complaint to the council in November and after length discussions between him and the council, the issue was investigated by the police and the Mudeford resident was issued a community resolution order and asked to pay £130.

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Mr Phillips added: “Under the Equality Act 2010, as a service provider, not only do the council have a duty to make reasonable adjustments for an individual who is at a substantial disadvantage at that time due to their disability, they also have to take positive steps to ensure that they anticipate the needs of potential disabled customers before they access council owned services.

“I am seeking constructive relationships with the council, but I doubt my payment of £130 will make the slightest difference to anyone, apart from those that chose a legal route in the first place.

“In my view, this prosecution, which started last August and is only now coming to a resolution, has been a complete waste of valuable police time, as well as causing unnecessary stress through many delays in the process to me and my wife aged 78 and 76 respectively.”

A petition to install a zebra crossing has been launched in the last few weeks and has already gather 100 signatures.

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The request for a pedestrian crossing will be scored and ranked using a consistent pan-BCP process and, once approved, a list of crossing requests will be ranked based on the council’s agreed criteria.

A BCP Council spokesperson said: “The situation regarding the illegal markings has been addressed and we can confirm that we have received a formal request for a crossing to be placed at this Mudeford Quay location.

“As with other requests for crossings we receive, we will carefully assess the request to establish whether it is appropriate to create a formal or informal crossing at this location. Safety remains, as ever, our primary concern.”