Accidents will be inevitable on a busy road that runs through Ewell once a crossing designed to enhance safety comes into use, according to the chairman of the village’s residents’ association.

Surrey County Council began construction on a crossing near the centre of a stretch of Chessington Road, Ewell, between Spring Street and the railway line in December 2015.

Epsom and Ewell Borough Council approved permission to change the former offices of Bytes Technology Group into 11 flats in February 2014.

The council then granted permission in September 2014 for a pedestrian crossing to meet the county highways standards.

Plans were approved for the crossing after three accidents – one of which caused serious injury to a cyclist – in the two years up to February 2014.

But Brian Angus, who lives in Chessington Road, Ewell, is highly unsatisfied with the position of the crossing on a busy road, and the lack of visibility due to overhanging trees and other vegetation.

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Mr Angus, (pictured above), the chairman of Ewell Village Residents’ Association said: “We pointed out the dangers of crossing at an early stage.

“The crossing is only visible to cars for about 38 metres which is the official stopping distance for a vehicle travelling at 40 miles per hour.

“The speed limit for this road is 30 mph and I predict the margins of error mean there will be accidents as soon as the crossing comes into use."

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Mr Angus is also concerned about the use of tactile paving – small domes commonly used to assist pedestrians who are blind or visually impaired – and believes such a crossing is insufficient for such a busy road.

He said: “Anybody who stands on that crossing and looks to their left cannot believe that they’re being asked to cross the road at that point.

“It can’t be safe. It is beyond beggar’s belief that they put tactile paving on the crossing.

“These are presumably qualified highways officers, so what are they thinking?”

A county council spokesman said: “The safety of our residents is our top priority and, after a couple of visits to the site, we believe installing a crossing will make sure the road and surrounding area is as safe as possible for everyone to use.”

What do you think? Comment below or email craig.richard@london.newsquest.co.uk