DRIVERS are being urged to stop for pedestrians using a new zebra crossing in Hartlepool town centre.

The appeal has been issued by council highways officials who say that some drivers are putting lives at risk by failing to stop at the crossing in York Road.

The zebra crossing was introduced as part of a recently-completed improvement scheme costing around £800,000 on a stretch of York Road between Park Road and Lister Street. Other works included the complete re-construction of the road, improvements to footpaths, the creation of an additional on-street parking bay and the planting of eight new trees.

The scheme is part of a phased programme of improvements along a York Road, from Victoria Road to the Burn Valley, which is being funded through Hartlepool Council’s Local Transport Plan (LTP).

The crossing is expected to be particularly well used by pedestrians once a new health centre which is currently being built in Park Road, opens its doors.

Peter Frost, the council’s traffic team leader, said: "We have received complaints, including one from the police, about drivers failing to stop and endangering pedestrians.

"The police are planning to take enforcement action, but we are keen to highlight this problem to try to nip it in the bud.

"The Highway Code makes it clear that as drivers approach a zebra crossing, they should look out for people waiting to cross and be ready to slow down or stop to let them cross.

"It also states that drivers must give way once someone has moved onto a crossing."