VIDEO: Anger at inconsiderate and misplaced pedestrian crossing in Rainham.

Reverend Elise Peterson and members from her parish in Rainham are angry at the new poorly placed pedestrian crossing that means funerals and weddings cannot park outside of the church anymore.

Reverend Peterson is based at St Helen’s and St Giles’ church in the heart of Rainham Village where recently a pedestrian crossing was moved and placed directly outside of her church gates without her knowing or being consulted in anyway.

It is believed the pedestrian crossing was moved to accommodate the current building of a new block of flats, however the popular church there is at the heart of the local community and now faces the dilemma of not having any parking outside of the front of the gates. Zig zag lines are placed both sides of the crossing, meaning that vehicles for funerals and weddings cannot stop outside of the church gates as they do and local church goers cannot be dropped off to attend their regular service.

Reverend Elise is also unhappy at the fact that she was not consulted in anyway before the crossing was placed. She told the Havering Daily: “If we had been consulted we would have clearly told them that placing the crossing outside of the front gates was not ideal for us as we use our gates everyday for weddings and funerals and need vehicles to be able to park outside of our gates.”

Dagenham and Rainham MP Jon Cruddas has been helping Reverend Elise move this poorly placed pedestrian crossing and told the Havering Daily:

“The resiting of the pedestrian crossing to be immediately outside the entrance to the Church grounds was insensitive as no thought was given to ceremonies at St Helens and St Giles. What is so frustrating is that the situation wouldn’t have arisen if there had been proper consultation with the Church.”

Strategy Cabinet Member Councillor Graham Williamson told the Havering Daily: “Clearly this was organised by the previous council, but I will be looking into this straight away to see what can be done to resolve the situation correctly.”

Local ward councillors Sue Ospreay, Jackie McArdle and Sarah Edwards have also been working with Reverend Elise to get this crossing moved.