A PEDESTRIAN crossing estimated at costing at least £50,000 could be introduced on Stretton Road following concerns over the safety of school children.

During Monday’s traffic committee meeting, members agreed to introduce single yellow lines to restrict parking on Stretton Road, close to St Matthew’s Primary School, as an ‘experimental’ order.

Parking space on Spark Hall Close was also discussed.

But, following concerns about the safety of people crossing the road after parking up there, members highlighted the prospect of a new zebra crossing in the area.

During the meeting, it was stated a new crossing facility would cost at least £50,000.

The council has confirmed it will ‘undertake an assessment’ to see if a crossing is required.

It added that it cannot confirm estimated costs until the outline design work has been completed.

Cllr Judith Wheeler (LD – Appleton) says she would ‘fully support’ a decision to site a new crossing on Stretton Road.

She said: “St Matthew’s is luckier than many schools because there are alternative areas to park – if parents are prepared to walk – although we know many don’t for various reasons.

“However, St Matthew’s does have a wider catchment area because it is a  CofE school with a predominantly rural intake increasing the likelihood of car travel.

“Discussions could be held, for example, with the Park Royal to use their car park and start a walking bus down to the school and a pedestrian crossing would certainly help this.

“Stretton is a village community and everyone should be working together to create solutions to benefit the school children.”

Cllr Ryan Bate (LD – Grappenhall), who sits on the traffic committee, believes a crossing would be a ‘valuable addition’.

He added: “Clearly, the aim of improving the parking situation is to make it safer for children to get to school.

“It’s essential that the new measures are monitored and we must see if a new crossing is needed to further improve safety.

“In my mind, a crossing would be a valuable addition and would encourage parents to park further from school, where it is safe to do so, knowing that it is then also safe to walk the final part of the journey to school with their children.”