A long-awaited puffin crossing has been installed on a busy road in Purton six years after the village first asked for it.

The new light-controlled crossing on Purton Road aims to improve safety in the area as well as make it easier for people to get to the new school and to bus stops on the Ridgeway Farm development.

Without it parish councillors say anyone crossing the road would be taking their life in their hands.

Wiltshire Councillor for Purton and Braydon Jacqui Lay has been asking for a crossing since 2014.

She said: “Mouldon View was originally a site for 200 houses and then the developer applied for another 50 houses on some of the remaining land.

“At the time of the second planning application which was in 2014 I was the Wiltshire Councillor and I was picking up from residents that they were struggling to get out of Mustang Way and also to cross the road.”

She said a first attempt to get a crossing was first refused because of the risks of affecting the traffic flow on the main road.

“I did manage to get the condition for a light controlled pedestrian crossing over the Purton Road which was due to be installed once the tenth house on the new phase was occupied.

“That must have been four or so years ago,” Coun Lay said.

She added: “It has been constant chasing to get the crossing in. Officers at the council have spent many hours on this and it is with their support that the crossing has now been installed by the developer.

“I would like to thank everyone, officers, the developer Wainhomes, but also the residents who have also kept the pressure up, to achieve this crossing and I hope it will be of great help for families needing to cross over to access facilities and schools. “

The measure has been welcomed by Purton Parish Council.

Chairman Ray Thomas said: “The crossing took many years to actually get in place. And Jackie Lay was certainly very prominent in pushing the developers to get it installed.

“But without it, anybody trying to cross that main road would take their life in their hands. So the puffin crossing is a real must for safety.

He told the Adver: “I think it probably will be enough to reduce the risks, but only time is going to tell.

“But there’s definitely been an improvement since it was installed and opened.

“We don’t need accidents with children and adults. It’s quite a busy road and the residents of Mouldon View do like to go for a walk.”