CONTRACTORS building Okehampton's new supermarket have stepped in to ensure children's safety by sponsoring a lollipop person.
This will go a long way to alleviating concern over a temporary crossing at the base of Lodge Hill where it runs into Market Street.
The crossing, which has been described as a 'black spot', has been installed to assist pupils approaching Okehampton Primary School from the west of the town during the construction of the Waitrose store.
But Mrs Sandra Walker, of Hatherleigh, a driver with children of her own, said it was 'lunacy' to put it there.
'I totally approve of the Waitrose store being built but I don't approve of this pedestrian crossing,' she said.
'There is a nasty accident waiting to happen and it will not be long before it does. It is 30mph at the top of the hill but it is very steep — and someone might not have very good brakes. If a car stops someone could come along and hit them from behind.'
Mrs Walker said the sight-lines for motorists were not good and she expressed fear if the road became icy.
A spokesman for Devon County Council said it was a temporary crossing which needed to be implemented because of contractual work being done in the area.
'Hopefully it will be removed by the end of July so there is no worry of icy roads,' said the spokesman.
'The contractors have put extra advance warning signs on the approach road to warn motorists and we hope they will take due care and attention.'
Headteacher of Okehampton Primary School, Brian Cunningham, said he was aware of concern over the crossing situation.
'I know the building of the supermarket has generated some difficulties regarding access to the school — but we have been working closely with West Devon Borough Council and the developers to minimalise them,' he said.
Mr Cunningham said he could see parents' concern in that crossing from the Somerfield side of the road the line of vision was 'somewhat limited.'
'It is very well signposted coming down the hill but as a pedestrian you have this curve in the road that limits your sight-line to anything coming down.'
Mr Cunningham said he had looked at the site with a representative from main contractors Dudley Coles and suggested a lollipop person for the busiest times of the day for children crossing.
'They are looking to do all they can to ensure safe passage for pedestrians. They are not looking to go out of their way to make a difficult situation any more difficult.'
At the time of going to press yesterday the Times heard that the crossing would get a lollipop lady.
Director of Dudley Coles, Steve Tyson, said he had just spoken to his managing director and they had agreed to sponsor a lollipop person.
'We will make a contribution to costs for the coming term and we will review it again after the summer term,' he said.