Cheltenham residents call for crossings on two 'dangerous' roads

Parents are refusing to let their children walk to Leckhampton C of E Primary school over road safety concerns

More than 1,150 people are calling for two new pedestrian crossings in a town.

It comes as parents in Leckhampton, Cheltenham, are refusing to let their children walk to school as they believe Church Road is dangerous.

A campaign for a new crossing in the town centre is also being backed by more than 100 people.

Gloucestershire County councillor Emma Nelson submitted the Church Road petition, saying she is "passionate" about road safety.

Parents told BBC Radio Gloucestershire that they believed the recent expansion of Leckhampton C of E Primary School and a new high school nearby has increased footfall in the area.

They also claim that many drivers ignore the 20mph limit along the road and have mounted the pavement and brushed the arms of parents.

There is a 20mph limit along Church Road, outside the school

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, Ms Nelson addressed a full council meeting on 21 February.

She said: "Children should be able to walk safely to school. It helps their independence, it's good exercise and is good for their mental health and wellbeing.

"It's our responsibility to make sure it's safe for children to walk to school in Leckhampton.

"There is a desperate need for a safe crossing on the busy and narrow Church Road," she added.

There are calls for a pedestrian crossing on Sandford Road

At the meeting, councillor Paul Baker also highlighted the need for a new crossing in the centre on Sandford Road, which has the hospital and access to the lido and a number of care homes along it.

"It's a very difficult road to cross particularly if you have limited mobility," he said.

"We believe this busy thoroughfare at the heart of our community must be made safer to cross with a new crossing."