A CROSSING has been installed on a busy road outside a nursery after a councillor "pushed for 12 years."

A puffin crossing went live today (Friday) shortly before midday on Main Road (A38) in Kempsey, near Worcester, outside Kempsey Community Centre and Magic Moments Nursery.

Malvern Hills district councillor, David Harrison, said: "I've been pushing for this crossing for 12 years now.

"Worcestershire County Council originally said a crossing wasn't required, but the traffic here has got so bad over the years that ultimately they had no choice.

"When the M5 closes in the evening, many drivers use this road and of course, they won't allow people to cross because it'll cost them an extra few seconds of their day.

"Without the help of Martin Allen over the last three years, I'm not sure it would have happened."

Worcestershire county councillor, Martin Allen, said:  "It has been a three year battle for me - when I got involved back then, I was told there would be no chance.

"Just seeing the crossing will make drivers slow down - it's like muscle memory in a sense."

The crossing was completed eight weeks ago but its switch-on was delayed as lighting had to be improved.

The new crossing is right outside Kempsey Community Centre and Magic Moments Nursery. (Image: Newsquest)

Cllr Allen added: "We have the nursery here and children and their parents should feel safe when they're coming to and from the nursery.

"The crossing is definitely in the right place.

"Local residents have continued to alert to the issue and I fully agreed with them.

"I just had to convince the county council."

The crossing is located outside the entrance to Magic Moments Nursery.

The nursery's owner, Natalie Burford, said: "As a nursery, we have been calling for this crossing for a very long time so I'm absolutely thrilled to see it finally done."

Magic Moments Nursery has been based in Kempsey for 18 years, and Mrs Burford added: "I know it will be a greatly valued community asset for the village for years to come and offers a lot of reassurance that our children can get to nursery safely."

Worcestershire County Council Highways confirmed the go ahead for the crossing back in June.