CONCERN over big lorries getting into and out of the TH White agricultural engineering premises should not delay the installation of the proposed pedestrian crossing in London Road, Marlborough, Mayor Margaret Boulton said.

Residents at the eastern end of the town have long campaigned for a crossing on section of London Road between Elcot Lane and the George Lane mini roundabouts.

There has been concern among families in the area that while the authorities were quick to provide a controlled crossing for students at Marlborough College some years ago, there has been no similar urgency shown over the London Road crossing.

Councillors have campaigned on behalf of the families on the St Margarets Mead estate who are concerned that parents taking their children to St Peter's Junior School have either had to cross the busy Salisbury Road by the double mini roundabouts, or try to get across the A4 at peak time, morning and afternoon.

Wiltshire County Council is currently advertising for any objections to a pedestrian crossing being sited between the St Margarets Mead junction and the access to Coombe End House residential home.

Coun Graham Francis, chairman, told the town council planning committee that TH White have expressed concern that the proposed siting of the crossing would create difficulties for some of the large vehicles accessing the engineering works.

However the mayor said she had spoken to highways engineers who had given an assurance that the crossing would be designed so that even the biggest lorries entering TH White would still be able to safely negotiate the company's access.