p5 monday A PEDESTRIAN crossing could at last be installed across a busy Worcester road where a girl was run over in September.

The man in charge of Worcestershire’s highways, county council cabinet member Derek Prodger, said putting a pedestrian crossing near the Tesco Express in London Road is now “of paramount importance”.

The parents of 11-year-old McAyla Johnston are campaigning for pelican crossings to be installed across both London Road and nearby Wyld’s Lane after she was knocked over and seriously injured in September.

The issue was raised at a full council meeting by concerned Labour councillor Jo Hodges.

“A very nasty accident occurred on London road and a young girl was seriously injured,” Coun Hodges said, demanding to know what progress had been made.

“This is probably one of the most dangerous junctions because of the four roads coming together here and the Tesco Express as well, and the large number of schoolchildren crossing here.”

Coun Prodger told councillors he accepted there was a problem and that his transport team is currently assessing the junction.

He said: “We are, of course, aware of the unfortunate injury incident and are investigating the provision of additional pedestrian facilities. It is expected the study will be completed within one month.

“This location is an issue — there are problems there and we are going to be progressing this. The provision of a pedestrian facility is of paramount importance.”

Coun Hodges said she welcomed the cabinet member’s words, adding that action is long overdue.

“I have requested pedestrian facilities here twice in the time I have been on the county council, and I’ve always been told it’s not in the budget,” she said. “It does seem a pity there has to be a serious accident before anything will be done.”

Coun Prodger responded: “This is a very vulnerable location but there are many such locations in the county. I will put my own effort into trying to get something sorted out and I hope to bring something back to you in the first few weeks of the new year.”

McAyla’s dad, David Lamb, of Foxwell Street, gave Coun Prodger’s words a cautious welcome.

“It's encouraging, very encouraging,” he said. “I’d like to think the county council is looking at it as a matter of urgency. I don’t want them just to pay lip service and then find three years down the line that they’re still looking at it.”