WILLITON Parish Council is calling on Somerset County Council to re-evaluate a proposal for a pedestrian crossing outside St Peter's School.

Cllr Hugh Davies had managed to secure funding via SCC's small improvements scheme last year but nearby residents had not been consulted on the scheme and opposed the number of double yellow lines proposed.

Residents did however agree with the school and the parish council that traffic was too fast in the area and said they would welcome traffic calming measures in some form.

The parish council received a letter in May from Somerset County Council's Martyn Evans recommending the scheme was abandoned.

At Williton Parish Council's meeting on Monday night, members agreed to write a letter to Somerset County Council asking Somerset County Council to reconsider a compromise following a consultation with the residents.

Cllr Bill Vaughan said: "We should write back to them and say how disappointed we are with this decision, there should be some compromise.

"We want to consult with residents and come up with a solution that works for everybody."

Headteacher at St Peter's School in Williton Nigel Johnson said there had been two close calls in the past year where the pedestrian crossing is proposed on Doniford Road.

"There have been two very near misses in the past 12 months where children were nearly hit by cars," he said.

"Cars drive too fast through double parked cars. They can often be driving about 30mph but do not realise the danger created by the cars and the visibility for pedestrians."

Mr Johnson said there was little road signage indicating the school is ahead and that the need for the crossing was growing more pressing.

"The crossing would be used by both St Peter's and Danesfield children, in 2014 parents from both schools were asked if they supported the scheme and overwhelmingly said 'yes'.

He said pupil numbers had increased from 118 to 135 and would be more than 140 next year, and added that the new housing on Doniford Road and in Watchet had created more traffic.

"I think the main issues are not just safe crossing but traffic calming. I would urge Somerset County Council to look at this again."

A spokesman for Somerset County Council said: “A Small Improvement Scheme for improved pedestrian crossing facilities was put forward by the local Member with some support from the community. 

"However, as the scheme progressed to the consultation stage we received numerous objections to the zebra crossing proposed, mostly due to loss of parking. We are now exploring the potential for a different pedestrian safety improvement scheme in this area.”