CHARFIELD residents are starting a campaign to get pelican crossings installed at two well-used crossing points.

The village is split by the busy B4058 and campaigners would like to see crossings by Charfield Primary School and Longs View.

At Tuesday's parish council meeting Debbie Riddle introduced plans to councillors.

"For about 18 months I have been really concerned about traffic through the village," she said.

"Since my son has moved up to the primary school I have done some investigations into proposing to the council that some sort of crossings are provided for the school and community because at some times of the day there are problems crossing the road."

"We have started to collate a report of factual based information and people have written letters to South Gloucestershire Council . I gave a letter to parents to send into the council where they just filled in the blanks.

"I have spoken to the school and they feel something like this would be a great benefit to them. It seems a general consensus that these have been a long time coming."

She told councillors that South Gloucestershire Councils initial response had been that there would be no money for such a scheme but she added: "South Gloucestershire Council has £2.2 million unallocated to any service and they were allocated £7 million from the government because of their good work they have done in improving highways issues.

"It is only £100,000 to put in two crossings. When you look at the money they have got it is not a lot to ask them for.

"South Gloucestershire Council look at it from a school point of view but it is a community issue. We definitely need some sort of provisions to get across the road. I have seen people drive across the road because it is too much stress and hassle to walk with the buggy and children. The road splits the village and it is dangerous. There have been no accidents reported but I have heard a lot of people saying that they have nearly had their children run over.

"I feel that the parish council should be involved as early as possible. I don't know if it would be something the council would be willing to support and get behind. I am trying to get as much support as possible and I have joined forces with the school's travel plan committee and they are all for it."

Councillors agreed that crossings were needed but said they had tried unsuccessfully to have them installed in the past.

Cllr Jane Pedley said: "We have tried in the past but personally I think it is an excellent idea."

Cllr Paul Birt added: "I am all for road safety. I would be in support of some kind of improvement but the crossings are one aspect of that and I tend to agree with the urbanisation aspect. I would agree with a crossing with lights that come on during school hours but I would not want what they have by Katharine Lady Berkeley school."

Chairman Cllr John Acton said: "We are very enthusiastic about it because you have done a lot of work.

"We would like to consider this further. If you have anymore information that would help us please pass it on. We will consider this again at future meetings. We have asked for crossings in the past but without success."

South Gloucestershire Council spokesman Matt Rees said: "The council has received some correspondence from residents in Charfield requesting the implementation of two pelican crossings and these requests will be investigated. The cost of installing these two crossings would be around £100,000.

"Despite being one of the lowest-funded authorities in the country, the council does have a small amount of money allocated for traffic management schemes. However, this money has to cover schemes across the whole district.

"We are continuing to work with the primary school on their travel plan and we would encourage the community to work with the school to incorporate their proposals into the plan."