Crossing to put brakes on drivers.

A COUNCIL is investing thousands of pounds to put the brakes on motorists in a bid to keep schoolchildren and shoppers safe.

Staffordshire County Council has started a pounds 25,000 road safety project to create a raised zebra crossing near the Tesco Express store, between the junction of Purcell Avenue and Verdi Court in Lichfield.

They will also narrow the road in an attempt to slow down traffic near the new crossing.

It follows complaints about difficulties safely crossing at the spot from shoppers and parents of pupils at nearby Charnwood Primary School and Netherstowe High School.

Councillor Tony Wilkins said: "We have been looking at this location for many months, assessing the best options.

"This will provide a much safer environment for everyone; kids walking to school or shoppers trying to get to and from the shops."

He added: "While road safety is the number one issue here it will deliver sorts of other benefits. If people walk more this will help reduce congestion and pollution, improve the local environment and air quality and help reduce climate changing carbon emissions from cars."

The move will also see the creation of improved footpaths and tactile paving for blind and partially sighted people around the crossing.

A "comprehensive study" of accident statistics and vehicle and pedestrian movements was undertaken before it was decided that a zebra crossing was "the right solution in the right place".