THERE was dismay in Marlborough over Wiltshire Highways failing to make good their promise of a safe pedestrian crossing for children near St Mary’s School.

County's Highways said a new traffic survey would be carried out this autumn which may mean a crossing is not required if the results showed crossing habits and traffic volume had changed.

“I’m very deeply shocked and angry if the crossing is rejected,” said Cllr Nick Fogg who represents East Marlborough on Wiltshire County, “It’s absolutely essential that we deal with the issue of children crossing George Lane, some of them are very young indeed, with large numbers having to cross."

“It is essential that a solution is found as I was under the impression a pedestrian crossing had been agreed.”

Parents crossing the road with their children, said a pedestrian crossing was urgently needed and were shocked it might not happen and they rejected the idea that crossing patterns had changed as suggested by Wiltshire Highways.

Ian Tucker principal of St John's school said: "St John's are strongly in favour of any measures that would improve the safety of our students as they travel to and fro from school. A pedestrian crossing in George Lane would ensure that students walking from school to town and vice versa would have safe access across George Lane.

"Given the large numbers involved, we feel that such a crossing is absolutely vital for the safety of students of all ages."

The headteacher of St Mary's Primary School Anne Schwodler said: "A crossing on George Lane is very much a priority for the school. Large numbers of children and families cross this very busy road at the beginning and end of the school day and we feel that the crossing is very dangerous."

She said the school made an application to ‘Taking Action on School Journeys’ and asked for a crossing with recommendations from Wiltshire Council including replacement of existing and provision of additional school warning signs on George Lane, a warning sign on Cherry Orchard and a new pedestrian and traffic survey this year.

However she said: "As a school we feel that this is not enough. Children from Marlborough St Mary’s and St John’s are using this crossing point every day.

"We have accepted the offer of additional signage and contacted the Council to express our opinion and hope that the new surveys will highlight the need for additional action.

The town council said: “We feel there needs to be improved safety measures in George Lane and fully supports Marlborough St Mary’s Primary School in its request for a crossing and pleased that Wiltshire Council officers have committed to looking at it later this year.”