PLANS to build a zebra crossing on a busy Chipping Sodbury road have been made public.

South Gloucestershire Council has published notice that it will construct the pedestrian crossing on Wickwar Road, near the junction with Barnhill Road, alongside a road hump to slow traffic speeds.

The safety measures will be put in place prior to the building of a new Waitrose supermarket on the former Barnhill Quarry site, which is due to open before Christmas this year, and a development of 160 houses.

Detailed planning permission for the Barnhill Quarry development was granted by the council in August 2012. Preparatory work on the site is due to start imminently.

The zebra crossing and speed hump will be paid for by developers Chelverton Deeley Freed in a deal with the council to make improvements to the community, known as a section 106 agreement.

In a statement of reasons for the new safety measures, the authority said: "As part of the planning application for the redevelopment of Barnhill Quarry, the section 106 agreement includes the installation of a zebra crossing on a raised table in Wickwar Road.

"The purpose of the scheme is to reduce vehicles speeds and provide a safe crossing location for pedestrians."

It added: "Zig zag markings will be installed either side of the above proposed crossing which will prohibit stopping on the approach or exit from the crossing."

Previously, the council has said a pedestrian crossing could not be constructed in Chipping Sodbury because it would not be in keeping with the town’s conservation area status.

Parents and local residents have previously campaigned for safety improvements on Wickwar Road, where it meets the busy High Street, as well as on Hounds Road where St John’s Mead Primary School, two nurseries and an elderly people’s home are located. Safety on Hounds Road is due to be discussed at the next Chipping Sodbury Safer, Stronger Community Group meeting on Thursday, January 31 (7pm) in the Old Grammar School Rooms.

Anyone who wishes to comment on the proposals for the crossing or speed hump needs to write to the council by January 17. Send any comments to Dean Shepherd at the Council Offices, Castle Street, Thornbury, BS35 1HF.