A pedestrian crossing is set to be installed outside William Stukeley School in Holbeach, despite some opposition.
It will be placed on Spalding Road near to the Red Lion public house after being voted through by Lincolnshire County Council’s Planning and Regulation Committee on Monday.
County council officers say 6,000 vehicles use the road a day and the authority had intended to put a zebra crossing there.
However, because there are more than 500 vehicles an hour using the road, a puffin crossing (with traffic lights) is to be installed instead.
The meeting was told a number of businesses had objected to putting the crossing in that location stating it would remove on street parking.
The report to the committee on behalf of Andy Gutherson, the county council’s executive director of place, states: “The objector believes that this will have a negative impact on the business and that the subsequent reduction in trade will potentially close it down.
“This would be a loss to the town as many who attend the premises do so by car and will patronise other businesses in the area during their visit.”
However it continues: “Consideration to alternative locations for this crossing has been given. However, there are no suitable sites to the east or west of the proposed site which will cater for the pedestrian desire line.
“Locating the crossing away from the desired line will result in it not being used.”
Coun Tracey Carter said she was the one who asked for the crossing: “It’s due to the number of requests I’ve received,” she said. “The school has been wanting this crossing for a number of years, as have many parents.
“I’ve spoken to one parent who had a very scary incident with their daughter and I want to avoid that for anyone else using the school or the public park that’s there too.
“I get the concern but I consider the safety elements outweigh the concern. There’s free parking in very close proximity to the pub.”
The proposal was unanimously passed by the committee.
Coun Nigel Pepper said: “It only gives up three vehicles so I’m happy with it.”
