RESIDENTS are piling the pressure on highways chiefs to improve road safety at a popular crossing point on the main road through Allendale.

A petition of 250 signatures has been handed to local county councillor Colin Horncastle calling for improvements on the B6303, opposite the former Lloyds Bank building.

Speaking at Allendale Parish Council, Coun. Horncastle said the busy road is currently too wide for pedestrians to cross safely.

He explained: “I’ve had 250 signatures handed to me, and I can see what the problem is.

“For years, there has been talk of having some sort of island across there.”

Coun. Horncastle suggested that an island could be put in place as a temporary measure.

He added: “I’m sure there was an earlier proposal to narrow the road there.

“I will find out if this is going to happen in the next two years. If not, I am going to try to get an island put in there.

“Then eventually, if the road does get narrowed, the island could be removed.”

Coun. Horncastle said that if the traffic island scheme went ahead, he would fund it out of his Northumberland County Council members’ allowance.

Coun. Dave Crellin said: “I think we will find that a traffic island in place there will help to slow traffic down.”