IN reply to Mrs J O'Malley's remarks (Letters, December 16) concerning the demonstration for a crossing on Preston Old Road, at Cherry Tree, Blackburn, I would say that the children's safety comes first and foremost.

Secondly, the traffic was at a standstill before the children came in to the road. There was also police supervision on hand.

Many parents from the school who took part walk to school - which is why we want a crossing.

But if Mrs O'Malley took more notice she would see the crossing we are fighting for is for the community, not just for the school.

I agree there are few parking facilities for parents collecting the children by car but she failed to mention that there are only two residential properties on Cherry Tree Lane - hers and her neighbour's.

The rest of Cherry Tree Lane consists of a library, a clinic and St Francis School, so parents' cars are not disrupting many people and then only for 15 minutes. I was told by the longest-serving member of staff at the school that there have been no accidents on Cherry Tree Lane itself in 25 years, yet Mrs O'Malley thinks it is so dangerous.

She has missed our point completely - that Preston Old Road has increasing traffic, increasing speed and many accidents - some fatal on this stretch.

We are not fighting for a school crossing but for the elderly who cannot dash across the road, for mums with prams going to the clinic and for older children using the bus stop to go to and from Walton-le-Dale and St Wilfrid's schools.

JANICE BEECROFT (organiser and demonstrator), Willis Road, Blackburn.

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