PLANS have been drawn up for a Puffin crossing at a new village school in Chester.
The crossing is proposed on Church Road in Saughall to serve the new primary school being built on the site of the existing Thomas Wedge junior school.
The school, due to be completed this autumn, will serve pupils at the junior school and those at The Ridings infant school in the village.
Area highway manager Colin Stredder says a condition of the planning permission for the new school requires a pedestrian crossing to be provided subject to the approval of city highway chiefs and to consultation being carried out.
The most appropriate location for a crossing on Church Road is said to be at the new pedestrian access to the school where the footways are greater and there would be less effect on adjacent properties which are set back from the road.
A Puffin crossing is thought to be the best option as, apart from school times, it will help residents using local shops throughout the day, according to a report.
The crossing would mean the crossing patrol at the school would be removed but Mr Stredder says the patrol has not been operating for several months and the crossing has been unmanned.
A new patrol is being appointed on a temporary contract until the new crossing is fully operational.
Councillors will hear a recent collision saw a child slightly injured outside the school at school time when the crossing was unmanned.
City Cllr Andrew Storrar (Con, Saughall) is happy with the proposal and no objections have been raised by the police.
Saughall and Shotwick Park Parish Council supports a crossing providing the grass verge in the vicinity is not damaged.
City and county councillors are being recommended at a Town Hall meeting on Thursday (January 22) to agree that public notice should be given of the intention to install the crossing.
In the event there are no objections, the work will be carried out.
