WINCHESTER residents are calling for the county council to make a busy road safer.

Abbotts Barton residents are concerned about speeding traffic in Worthy Road and want a new crossing installed, particularly for children.

They have teamed up with Winchester MP Steve Brine and new ward county councillor Fiona Mather to take the campaign further.

A group met Mr Brine and new county council transport boss Sean Woodward at the junction of Abbotts Road and Park Road last Thursday.

Sally Pasche, of Courtenay Road, said: “'We are in desperate need for a safe place to cross Worthy Road as the amount of traffic along it has dramatically increased over the years, and will only get worse when the new housing is built in the local area.

“The current cross point at the bottom of Park Road is very dangerous as the island is too narrow for pedestrians to stop in, especially with speeding traffic and impatient drivers overtaking stationary buses on the wrong side of the road.”

Mr Brine added: “It is very clear residents are worried about crossing the Worthy Road at this point. I think this fits into a wider picture in this part of Winchester at the moment as concerns about volume of traffic, much of it generated by new development taking place, makes its presence felt on the roads.”

Cllr Woodward confirmed a pedestrian study would take place in the road and that the council would explore a pedestrian crossing there among other options.

Cllr Mather added: "We will work closely with residents to get them a hearing with the county council and to ensure we put forward a powerful case for action at this site before someone gets hurt."