RESIDENTS are one step closer to having a safer crossing installed where a schoolgirl was hit by a bus following a council meeting.

It comes after Kathryn Henderson created a petition calling for a pelican crossing in January, after 12-year-old Scarlet Taziker was hit by a bus on her way home from Turton High.

Kathryn has presented the Turton Road petition to Mayor Cllr Linda Thomas.

Kathryn said: "It was just a formal meeting to see what they are going to do and to officially log it. We now have to wait for it to go through the process. We will hopefully have a success story in a couple of months."

During the meeting councillors said it was unlikely they would get a pelican crossing on the bases of traffic flow and cost, but they will most probably get a zebra crossing.

Kathryn added: "I know that it will be disappointing to some residents because they wanted a pelican crossing, but we are definitely one step closer now even if it's a zebra crossing."

Cllr Sam Connor said: "The petition at Turton Road will now be investigated by the highways department.

"The petition did really well, and Kathryn has worked so hard. Hopefully something can be done, even if it's a zebra crossing.

"Something is better than nothing. I am rooting for this.

"As a local councillor this is what we want for schools and residents, and for everybody to be safe. We are backing the Turton Road crossing group."

Kathryn previously campaigned in 2017 due to other incidents of a similar nature taking place.

Previous proposals have been rejected due to concerns it is on a bend and there are no safe stopping distances.

The petition has amassed as many as 2,530 signatures and will now be reviewed by the highways department.

At the time Scarlet's dad, Phillip Taziker, said: "It's very important we have a safe crossing because there is inevitably going to be a death."