'Zebra crossing to nowhere' baffles residents

The crossing was installed as part of a new housing development

A new "zebra crossing to nowhere" is baffling some residents because it leads to a locked gate.

The crossing on Gibbet Hill Road, Coventry, was installed by the city council as part of a new housing estate and paid for by the developer, William Davis Homes.

But only residents in one part of the development can unlock it and continue their journeys.

A spokesperson for Coventry City Council said it had complied with the requirement for a crossing for residents within the development and queries about the gate were for the land owner. William Davis Homes said it added the locked gate as part of the council's planning conditions.

The gate leads to homes in Cryfield Heights and Jennaway Gardens.

It is believed residents in Cryfield Heights have not been given the code whereas residents in the newer Jennaway Gardens have.

They are concerned that because they cannot use the gate, they cannot reach their homes safely due to a lack of footpath on one side of Gibbet Hill Road.

Councillors Mattie Heaven and John Blundell said they hoped a solution could be found

Mildly bemused councillors for the Wainbody ward, Mattie Heaven and John Blundell, said they hoped a solution could be found.

"Maybe there's a solution. The code could be shared to just a certain amount of residents who live there and could have the access," Heaven said.

"We need to find out what's the best way forward."

"We've come across a mess and we're trying to sort it out," Blundell added.

"Sometimes you can't please all of the people all of the time but we're doing our best to do that."

Residents' concerns

Both the crossing and the gate were requirements of the planning process for the development.

A council spokesperson said: "The zebra crossing installed on Gibbet Hill Road was funded by the housing developer as part of the Cryfield Heights development that required a new pedestrian/cycleway connection for residents within the development.

"We have complied with that requirement.

"The gate is on private land so any queries about the gate are for the land owner to answer."

However, David Dodge, operations director for William Davis Homes, said: "The conditions were in response to concerns raised by existing residents of Cryfield Heights at the time that planning consent was granted."

He added those living in the area were concerned that the path would become a shortcut for university staff and students if access was not restricted.

"We are content that we have implemented the planning consent correctly, with responsibility for the gate and the private footpath resting with the residents' management company of our development scheme."