CAMPAIGNING gran Vera Hamblin has won support from Marlborough Town Council for her bid to get a crossing for Marlborough’s wide High Street.

Mrs Hamblin, 86, who is registered blind, says it is becoming more and more difficult for her to get safely from one side of the street to the other.

She started a petition and on Monday night presented the document signed by 600 people to the town council.

She said: “At the moment although I am registered blind I can still see a little bit but my sight is getting worse and worse. It is very dangerous for me trying to cross the road so I can do my shopping.

“But it is not just me. I spoke to lots of other elderly people and young mums with small children who also find it difficult.”

The town council voted to support her bid for a crossing near Waitrose and said they will put the proposal forward to Wiltshire Council with its backing.

Widow Mrs Hamblin, who has three children and eight grandchildren, has lived in the town for more than 25 years and at one time was a town councillor herself.

The former teacher has been backed in her campaign by husband and wife Fred Briers and Jackie Gill.

Mrs Hamblin said: “I started the petition but I could not have done this without them. I hope this will now happen quickly as otherwise I am in danger of losing my independence if I can’t get to the shops by myself as I live alone.”

Mr Briers said: “We often have to play ‘Marlborough Roulette’ when trying to cross through heavy traffic. The town council noted that all the food shops, post office and the doctor’s surgery is at one side of the Street and main bus stops and other shopping are on the other side. Urgent action is needed.”

The town council says that a 20 mph speed limit is planned for the High Street and this may include a fuller review of traffic and pedestrian management.