Crumbling crossing is now ‘real danger to pedestrians’

The crossing, on a bend, spans Cinque Ports Street from Station Approach and forms the main route into town for pedestrians coming from the railway station and coach park.

The crossing is crumbling away with markings fading and high dangerous kerbs.

There have already been a number of incidents in which elderly people have been injured after tripping on the kerbs.

Now Rye Town Council is calling on East Sussex County Council’s highways department to tackle the problem as a matter of urgency.

Cllr Bernardine Fiddimore, who raised the issue, said: “It has become dangerous. The markings are virtually non-existant, it is not even obvious to motorists that there is a crossing there.

“There could be tragic accident at this spot before long.

“There are also uneven pavements near the crossing. At least three old people have fallen there and two had to be taken to hospital.

“There are dropped kerbs on three sides of the crossings, but on one side it is high. An elderly man with a zimmer recently went over there.”

Adam Smith, chairman of Rye Town Council’s planning committee, said: “I have witnessed several accidents there myself.”

Cllr Mary Smith said: “The road markings have become virtually erased.”

Rye Mayor John Breeds said: “Many disabled people have complained about the lack of dropped kerbs in Rye, it is a real problem.”

Rye presents a dangerous obstacle course for disabled and partially sighted people with many, who use wheelchairs or buggies, complaining that they can not cross roads in the Citadel area due to high kerbs and parked cars.

There have also been reports of heavy vehicles mounting pavements and coming close to hitting pedestrians.