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Mystery crossing mirror prompts 'vigilante' warning

Hatty Nash
BBC News, Nottingham
BBC A convex mirror strapped to a lamppost on a traffic island at the junction of Lady Bay Bridge and Meadow Lane. Cars can be seen in the reflection of the mirror.BBC
It is not known who attached the mirror to the lamppost at the junction of Lady Bay Bridge and Meadow Lane

A mystery mirror has been attached to a lamppost at a busy pedestrian crossing in Nottingham.

The mirror has appeared on the crossing at the junction of Lady Bay Bridge and Meadow Lane, but it is not known who added the mirror in what seems to be an attempt to improve safety for those crossing the road on foot.

One local resident said he was "not surprised" that someone took it upon themselves to add the mirror, as he "takes his life into his own hands" every time he uses the crossing.

A spokesperson from Nottingham City Council said it was trying to secure funding for improvements there and experts have warned against vigilante traffic control.

A convex mirror strapped to a lamppost on a traffic island at the junction of Lady Bay Bridge and Meadow Lane. Cars can be seen in the reflection of the mirror.
The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) says "well-meaning interventions by individuals can unintentionally create new risks"

Caitlin Taylor, road safety manager at the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA), said "improving road safety is vital" but changes to road infrastructure should be made through "the proper channels".

"Well-meaning interventions by individuals can unintentionally create new risks," she said.

Ms Taylor said it was the local highways authority's job to determine safety measures and prioritise which areas were most in need of attention.

She said: "RoSPA encourages anyone with safety concerns to report them directly to their local council so that expert assessments can guide the right solutions."

An image of the mirror strapped to a lamppost on the junction of Lady Bay Bridge and Meadows Lane. There are cars on either side of the island.
RoSPA recommended that anyone with road safety concerns should report them to their local council
A portrait image of local Bernard Jarvis, 80, stood on the pavement in front of the road which crosses Lady Bay Bridge. There are cars in the background.
Bernard Jarvis, 80, describes the crossing as "terrifying"

Bernard Jarvis, 80, who volunteers as a guide for blind people, said: "You can't really see what's coming round the corner in time.

"You have to take your life into your own hands.

"It's noisy, it's polluted, and if you're on a bike it's terrifying," he said.

A portrait image of local student George, 21, stood on the pavement of the road which crosses Lady Bay Bridge. There is a bush behind him in the background.
George, 21, said "you can't really see when the cars are coming"

George, a student who did not wish to give his surname, said he regularly used the crossing to go to the gym.

He added that the crossing was "tricky" because "you can't really see when the cars are coming".

The 21-year-old said there should be more measures put in place to make the crossing safer for pedestrians, such as "a green light to tell you when to cross the road".

But he said he generally felt safe from traffic walking around Nottingham.

A city council spokesperson added: "We share the view that this junction is outdated and we have been working on options to improve the pedestrian crossing facilities.

"We are currently looking to secure funding to help us make these changes."

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