A HEADTEACHER has welcomed moves to install a new pedestrian crossing outside his school.

The Bolton News reported on Monday how progress was being made to install the crossing on The Hoskers, Westhoughton.

Philip Ivory, headteacher of St George's CE Primary School said: "We have been without a school crossing now for eighteen months.

"Whilst there are parking and speed restrictions on the roads immediately outside school, they are not sufficient to ensure the safety of our children and parents.

“With just under three hundred pupils in school, the daily drop-off and pick-up time is extremely congested when combined with the normal through traffic.

“Our parents and local residents regularly contact school to express their concerns regarding the problems that are clear to see. We have been in contact over the years with the local authority to support us in improving the situation.

“A new crossing, sooner rather than later, is of paramount importance for the safety of our children. However, there are more improvements that need to be made.”

Councillors David Wilkinson and Cllr Dedire McGeown say they are making strides in installing a pedestrian crossing after being approached by parents and residents raising concerns about the speed of traffic and parking issues.

Mr Ivory spoke of a recent accident which makes him want the crossing installed even more.

He said: “A recent accident outside school, not involving our parents or children, brought home the possibility of a serious accident involving one of our children.

“As the situation stands, with no crossing patrol or crossing, we feel there is a very real possibility of a serious incident on the roads around school.

“This is something that concerns the wider school community greatly and a swift implementation of improved safety measures is crucial to make sure that this does not happen.”