Councillors have welcomed plans to look into installing a pedestrian crossing near Westfield School after a petition was presented by local residents.

In March, Cllr Andrew Waller organised a petition signed by 174 local people calling for safer crossing on Askham Lane to Westfield School, prompted by the absence of the school crossing patrol on Askham Lane for three months in early 2015 due to sickness.

Parents were worried that with the positioned not covered while the regular lollipop lady was unwell, children either had to be accompanied by an adult or had to cross unsupervised.

On Thursday, at a public Decision Session the Executive Member for Planning and Transport Ian Gillies backed officer plans to look at installing a formal pedestrian crossing on the road to help the lollipop lady, who has now returned to work.

Cllr Waller said: “I am pleased that the Executive Member has decided to take action and recognises that a ‘do nothing’ option would be a let down to the local community. I look forward to officers bringing forward a feasibility study in the coming months to ensure the road is safe for children getting to school.”