PARENTS took to the streets of Lancaster city centre this week to campaign for a zebra crossing for their children.

Dozens of members of the Lancaster Women's Environmental Network (WEN) waved black and white banners on the busy Meeting House Lane in protest at the lack of safe crossing facilities.

They say the heavy duty traffic and hundreds of cars that use the road are causing a hazard to parents crossing the street with prams and toddlers.

WEN spokesperson Julie Cook is calling on county council chiefs to lay down a safe pedestrian crossing on the road.

The mum-of-two explained: "Our group's main concern is the safety of children and families.

"Many pupils from Dallas Road Primary School and the Girls' Grammar School have to cross this road, and young families attending the daily playgroups at the Friends' Meeting House are forced to dodge the traffic with their prams and toddlers.

"We urgently need safe pedestrian access across this road."

With the backing of scores of local residents the group are planning to hand over a petition to Green councillor Gina Dowding to get the ball rolling.

Following a number of requests to install a pedestrian crossing on the site county council bosses say they are considering the results of a vehicle and pedestrian survey.

Their findings are expected to be aired at full council later this week.

A county council spokesman said: "As with any proposal of this kind, a number of factors need to be considered, including whether the physical features of the site are appropriate.

"This particular scheme would not be covered by our Local Safety Scheme budget as the accident record at this location is good.

"We are willing to discuss possible funding partnerships."

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