CHILDREN are celebrating safety in Thornbury with the official opening of a zebra crossing over a busy stretch of road outside a primary school.

Plans for the crossing in Knapp Road, outside the Crossways Schools, were given the green light by South Gloucestershire councillors at the final Severn Vale Area Forum in March last year, who injected £41,600 into the scheme.

Previous studies of the crossing, which has been manned by lollipop men and women in the past, suggest that more than 1,000 crossings are made per day, with parents at the school leading the campaign to see a new crossing built.

Cutting the ribbon to formally open the crossing, Thornbury’s deputy mayor, Cllr Pam Shipp said: “We are delighted they have their crossing. It’s been hard work for all the parents and staff.

“I just hope they will remain just as careful when using it and are looking both ways!”

Originally intended to be built within 12 months of the funding allocation, the project was delayed so that it could be built in the summer holidays to cause the least disruption.

“We are absolute thrilled with the crossing,” said Jenny Ratcliffe, one of the parents who helped to push the campaign.

“Everyone is very appreciative that the work was done over the holidays to cause less disruption.

“So many parents have already said to us about the changes they have seen in drivers and pedestrians.

“We hope that it will make a really big difference in the coming months when it is darker and wetter.

“Hopefully it has already saved a life.”

Cllr Clare Fardell, who was one of the councillors on the area forum that agreed to put the money towards the crossing, offered her congratulations to the school for their hard work.

“It has been an uphill struggle,” she said. “Some said it wasn’t really necessary but fortunately there was some money available at the area forum and now the crossing is finally in place.”

Head teacher Mark Toogood said: “I would like to say a big thank you to everyone involved, our every vigilant members of the parent community, the councillors who backed it any everyone else who helped ensuring its creation.

“I think it will help keep the area a lot safer for children of all ages, and to those that are going to other primary schools and those walking further to Castle School.

“It’s there for everyone and it’s frankly just great.”