Crossing welcomed

Work started on Monday on the installation of a pedestrian crossing on a busy trunk road.

A pelican crossing is being installed on the A46 outside the Pauncefote Arms, East Stoke, where at least 25,000 vehicles pass by each day.

Work is being done overnight on the £70,000 scheme, which should take six weeks. The timescale includes a break over Christmas.

Villagers have long campaigned for a crossing, saying it is impossible to get over the road in heavy traffic.

They also say there have been dozens of accidents as drivers attempted to turn off the A46 into the village.

Parish councillor Mr Syd Davies said pupils catching school buses would soon be able to cross without dodging the traffic, and it would make life much easier for elderly people and parents with prams.

“We have families split in each half of the village so it will make it easier for them,” Mr Davies said.

“Passengers will be able to catch the bus without playing chicken with the traffic.”

The campaign for a crossing was launched three years ago by Neighbourhood Watch and the parish council.

It was backed by the MP for Newark, Mr Patrick Mercer, the emergency services, the Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire Air Ambulance, county and district councillors and schools.

Mr Davies said the campaign snowballed after it was highlighted by the Advertiser.

“It wasn’t always a fast-moving snowball but from that time the pressure was on,” he said.

The Department For Transport said a crossing was needed if dualling of the A46 did not start soon. Work is not due to begin until at least 2011.