Campaigners for a crossing in Corston came one step closer when developers showed their proposed application for housing and a pelican crossing.

More than 100 residents turned out to look at the plans for a dozen houses at Southside Farm and a crossing on the current ‘informal’ crossing along the A429.

Andy (Peter) Hatherell, who lives in Corston, is vice-chairman of the parish council and has been campaigning for three decades for a safe crossing for the village.

“There seemed to be quite a lot of interest from the village, which we were pleased about,” he said.

“I have been wanting a proper crossing in Corston for the last 30 years so I’m in full support of it.

“Unfortunately we didn’t get it before; there was an objection in the village and it didn’t go ahead.

“I think this will get the support now though. I work in traffic signals so I know all about these things; I think it will be safe.

“The problem is that we’ve got the playing field and Reading Room on one side of the village and we’ve got people coming from the other side to get there, and we’ve got the children crossing each day.

“It’s a trunk road and it’s difficult; there’s no doubt about it.”

Edelgard Chivers, a member of the road safety group and coordinator of the local Speed Watch, found that more than 10,000 vehicles travel through the village each day, based on an average reading from Metro Count which said that 80,000 cars travelled through in one eight-day period.

It was a positive meeting,” said Mrs Chivers.

“The people that were there all had lots of opinions about what they wanted.

“They are proposing to build the crossing where we have the informal one.

“Wiltshire Council still has to decide whether they feel Corston has to have a crossing and if so then they may fund it, which means Fowler will be able to invest in the village in other ways such as a new play park.

“The important thing is to get a crossing.”

Roger Budgen, chairman of the Malmesbury and St Paul Without Parish Council, said: “I think the proposals are an improvement to the site “They are broadly in line with the Neighbourhood Plan and I think it will bring benefits to the residents of Corston.

“It’s possibly the only community on the A429 that doesn’t have a safe crossing.

“There has been a big increase in families moving to Corston, and more and more children are walking to cross the road to get to the school bus and it’s important that there is a crossing to keep them safe.”