A PEDESTRIAN crossing is urgently needed opposite Lancaster Railway Station, claim Castle residents.

Both the city and county council have come under pressure to build a crossing before there is a serious accident.

Following pressure from local Green councillor, Jon Barry, the county council conducted a full survey of traffic levels but the matter must go before committee before a final decision is taken.

Said Cllr Barry: "A crossing is desperately required. On many occasions, the only way to cross is to do a Linford Christie impersonation - put your head down and run. It is unacceptable to have such poor pedestrian access to a vital public transport centre like the railway station."

Local residents have also expressed strong views on the matter.

Said Mrs Berridge of Kellet Court: "If you want to cross the road to go down to Market Street to the shops it's very difficult for old people, the disabled and those with prams. There's no time to cross the road."

John Millbank of Hillside, near the Castle, has young children and is particularly concerned that they have a safe route to school.

He said: "When children get to an age when they can go to school on their own, they can't because of the dangers on the road. The alternative is to go right down to China Street and cross at Waterstones. It's ridiculous."

Said Carol Page of Meeting House Lane: "If you want to cross the road it's absolutely impossible. Sometimes you stand there for 20 minutes or more. There's traffic in all directions - I've missed trains because of it. Does it take someone to be killed before something is done?"

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