It is becoming a risky business using the pedestrian crossing by the station in Oakham.

More often than not, pedestrians now have to stand watching cars speed over the black and white lines before an observant and polite driver actually stops for them – a rare event recently.

At about 5.45pm on a Monday night I had already started crossing and had made it half way across the road – a considerable distance when you consider at this point there are three lanes of traffic to negotiate.

So there I am in the middle of the crossing. I look to my left and a driver is approaching, her speed constant and not decreasing.

I stop walking as she doesn't seem to be stopping.

Hovering there, I look to my right and the driver of the car coming from the town centre isn't slowing down either.

In fact, he obviously hasn't seen me as he is accelerating. I literally have to jump back out of the way, causing the people behind me on the crossing to gasp at the scene before them.

The driver still doesn't attempt to brake but instead chooses to swerve in order to avoid hitting me and almost collides with the on-coming driver who had ignored the pedestrian crossing in the first instance.

Neither driver stopped or even indicated an apology.

I am a frequent runner on Rutland roads, going out most nights and weekends.

The driving on our narrow country roads is generally too fast and little room is given to runners or cyclists.

As a runner on a rural road intended for vehicles, you tend to take this in your stride but as a pedestrian in town who uses crossings sensibly and correctly, I find this unacceptable.

I urge Rutland County Council to do something about this. Either move the crossing to an area where fewer roads meet and cross or there is less traffic, or make the crossing more conspicuous to drivers.

But do something before someone is seriously injured or worse.

Claire Rawes
West Road
Oakham