A CAMPAIGN for a new pedestrian crossing to improve safety on a busy road is gathering momentum.

Residents who want improvements for pedestrians in Meadow Road, Beeston Rylands, have received backing from their local MP and support from a school.

Broxtowe MP Nick Palmer and Kevin Briffett, head at Rylands Junior School, have written to Notts County Council calling for a new crossing.

But the council says that Meadow Road does not meet the criteria for improvements.

Mr Briffett said he was concerned about the "lack of a safe crossing place" on Meadow Road.

"A very large number of our pupils, and the pupils at Trent Vale Infant School, cross this very busy road," he said.

"Originally there was a school crossing patrol lady but after she gave up the job she was never replaced.

"As a school, we teach our children road safety and talk about using safe crossing points. We always emphasise the use of a crossing, yet in Beeston Rylands our children do not have this option."

Mr Palmer has also written to the county council's portfolio holder for transport, Coun Richard Jackson, calling for a new Meadow Road crossing.

Residents began petitioning for road improvements in the area last month after a seven-year-old boy suffered a head injury after a collision with a car. Following the incident, a petition was launched pressing the county council to install a crossing.

More than 130 signatures have now been collected in support of the campaign.

Notts County Council has previously stated that Meadow Road does not meet the criteria for improvements – which take into account how busy the road is and the number and severity of accidents in recent years.

However, the council has said any petition received will be presented to the authority and considered on its merits.

bryan.henesey @nottinghameveningpost.co.uk