Campaign pays off in crossing

Children and their parents can now cross Ingleby Way, in Ingleby Barwick, safely after Stockton Borough Council made funding available for the Puffin crossing close to Whinstone Primary School.

Concerns had been raised about the dangers of traffic in the 40mph zone, and one lollipop lady resigned because she felt the road was too dangerous.

Traffic controller Karen Jones told Ingleby Barwick councillors that she believed both her life and the lives of children were being put at risk on the road every day.

Last night, members of Ingleby Barwick Independent Society (Ibis) said they were delighted to finally see the crossing in place, but felt it was years too late.

A group spokesman said: "We brought this to the attention of the Eastern Area Transport Board early last year, after receiving numerous complaints from parents with children attending Whinstone Primary School.

"A school crossing patroller was absent from his point for several long periods over the past two years.

"And the previous crossing patroller resigned from her job because the council failed to act on her concerns that this was a dangerous point. This crossing might prevent a serious accident. It should have been there a long time ago."

The Puffin crossing, which stands for Pedestrian User FFriendly INtelligent crossing, is different from pelican crossings because the green man is on the push-button unit instead of the opposite side.

It has detectors so traffic will remain stationary when someone is on the crossing. The other advantage is the lights will change for waiting vehicles, thus reducing delays when pedestrians have left the crossing.

Councillor Bob Cook, the council's cabinet member for regeneration and transport, said: "Installation of this crossing will provide significant improvements for pedestrians in Ingleby Barwick.

"This is a permanent facility, available 24 hours a day, as opposed to a school crossing patroller, who only operates at school times.