MORE than 220 people have signed a petition for a zebra crossing to be installed in Starcross.

Parents of children at the village primary school and councillors have called for the crossing on a busy village road so children can get safely to and from school.

The petition has so far gained 220 signatures - that is one in eight residents in the village.

The plight of youngsters crossing New Road has been exacerbated in recent weeks because the main road through the village has been shut for essential works.

It's meant all traffic has been diverted along New Road and past Starcross Primary School.

However, Teignbridge councillor Gary Taylor said: ‘The road closure has highlighted the danger for children to get to and from school safely - there is not a safe crossing point.’

Now, along with Cllr Alan Connett, the Devon County Councillor who represents Starcross at County Hall, they have launched a petition to win backing from local residents for the crossing.

Cllr Connett explained: ‘Parents and village residents have been hugely worried about the increase in traffic on New Road during the closure of the main road through the village.

'While that will come to an end, there will be a time in the future when the road is closed for an emergency or roadworks and we'll be back in the same position.

‘The only safe way to ensure children can cross New Road is to have a crossing right by the village primary school.

‘There's already one in Exminster, serving the primary school there - we need one now in Starcross.’

Cllr Taylor added: ‘We hope to win support from Starcross Parish Council, the school and the Ivy Education trust it is part of.

‘This is a community call to action - Starcross needs a zebra crossing and we need Devon County Council to act quickly.’

The petition is on the change.org website https://www.change.org/starcrosszebracrossing