Residents in Marsh and Edgerton are stepping up their campaign for a new crossing to help pedestrians and cyclists on the busy A640 Westbourne Road.

A petition calling for a controlled Toucan crossing on Westbourne Road near Gledholt Roundabout has been signed by more than 200 people so far.

Petition organiser and local resident Andrew Dunlop said: “It can be hard enough when driving to judge vehicle speeds on the Gledholt Roundabout, it can be terrifying trying to do this as a pedestrian.

“The crossing is even worse for those with small children, pushchairs, impaired mobility and with wheelchairs. Users are putting their lives on the line to cross here or decide not to leading to isolation and immobility.”

A solution to this crossing has previously been proposed and consulted on twice. It formed one part of the mothballed A629 Phase 4 work. The petition asks Kirklees Council to prioritise the crossing and secure funds from elsewhere.

Mr Dunlop added: “Use of the current uncontrolled crossing point at this location as a pedestrian or cyclist can be a challenging experience.

“It often involves having to cross in small gaps in the constant traffic and move out of the way of fast and emerging vehicles.”

People who need to cross to go to Greenhead Park, the Junction pub, St Patrick’s Primary School or Gledholt Methodist Church have also signed the petition.

To sign the petition go to https://you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/safer-crossing-of-westbourne-road-near-gledholt-roundabout. It will be open for another couple of weeks before it is sent to Kirklees Council.