PUPILS at the local school, parents and the community in the Kenwyn area of Truro who have campaigned for a crossing to make it safer for them to cross a busy road are about to get their wish.

Work commissioned by Cornwall Council is due to start on installing a new zebra crossing on Kenwyn Road on January 21 and it is estimated will take three weeks to complete.

To keep disruption to a minimum, the work will be carried out overnight between 7pm and 6am under traffic light control, with the lights removed before rush hour each morning.

The new crossing, which is being funded by £67,000 received from developers as part of what is known as a Section 106 agreement, will link the Hendra estate with Kenwyn Church, St Mary's School and Truro Nursery; and the Trehaverne neighbourhood with the green spaces of Victoria and Hendra, including the skate park.

Geoff Brown, Cornwall Council cabinet portfolio holder for transport, said: "We have listened to the local community. Their campaigning and the work of their local Cornwall Councillors has been key to making this scheme a reality. It's important that we encourage people to walk more as we join up options to get around as part of the Council's One Public Transport initiative. This new crossing enables residents to safely walk from their homes to school, open spaces and the shops and other services in the City."

David Harris, Cornwall Councillor for Truro Trehaverne, said: "This pedestrian crossing is a welcome improvement to this particular stretch of road. Improving the safety of pedestrians and drivers on our roads is of paramount importance and so it is important that we are able to deliver this crossing which will make a huge difference to the whole community."

Bert Biscoe, Cornwall Councillor for Truro Kenwyn, said: "The campaigners who have successfully made the case have been focused, provided good evidence, and have built positive relationships which have enabled it to move forward in what is, for a scheme such as this, quite a speedy manner. The interaction between pedestrians and vehicles is a big challenge and it is important that communities can function securely and freely. I'm sure that, once complete, this crossing will enhance safety, build confidence and improve the quality of life for a large number of people. Well done Highways".

Campaigner Lisa Smith Walker, parent and governor at St Mary's School, said: "We are delighted that the crossing is imminent. Fellow parent Debbie Schmid and I have been campaigning for 2 years for the crossing, which we hope will make the junction much safer for both pedestrians and motorists.

"Visibility at the Hendra/Kenwyn junction is poor, and the traffic is fast and busy – this will help to calm the traffic along the whole of Kenwyn Road as well as making crossing the road so much safer for everyone. There are so many near misses out there, hopefully the crossing will help prevent a tragedy.

"The support from our community has been amazing and we'd like to say a massive thank you for that, and also to our local councillors for their help."

The design of the scheme was chosen after discussions with local residents from ten ideas that were put forward.

Geoff Brown added: "There were a number of challenges to providing a permanent crossing at this site, including the lack of a pavement on the south side of Kenwyn Road and the position and visibility to and from the junction along Kenwyn Road. However, we're confident that these have been overcome and that the design of the new zebra crossing works well."

Cormac will start work on building the scheme on January 21.