A PETITION has been set up in an appeal to change a ‘dangerous’ crossing on a busy Tavistock road following an incident where an elderly lady was knocked down earlier this month.

Resident of Westbridge Cottages Tony Woodd, along with a number of others, are urging Devon County Council to consider changing the current zebra crossing on Plymouth Road in front of Texaco garage, to a pelican crossing — a crossing operated by traffic lights.

The decision to set up a petition came after an elderly lady was knocked over by a car while using the crossing on August 1, causing the closure of Plymouth Road for several hours which resulted in traffic chaos in the town. The lady was not believed to have suffered life changing injuries.

In a letter to Devon County Council, Mr Woodd said: ‘We, the residents local to the zebra crossing on Plymouth Road at the Texaco Fuel Station, are extremely concerned about the safety of this crossing. Particularly as it is used by many less agile people and young, school-aged children.

‘There have been many near misses due to some car drivers ignoring the crossing. During the most recent incident, on the afternoon of August 1, a woman was knocked down by a car on this crossing, which simply failed to stop. This incident resulted in injury to the lady with both the police and ambulance service having to attend the scene.

‘The employees of the Texaco garage have advised that they’ve been witness to many near misses.

‘Due to the very real risk of severe injury or potential death, we would like Devon County Council to investigate these long-standing problems with a view to installing a safer traffic light crossing.’

Mr Woodd said the petition gained over 300 signatures in a matter of days.

He told the Times: ‘We’re going to try to get at least 400 signatures and then we will take it to the Devon County Council highways office.

‘That crossing is very dangerous and it needs to be changed. We’d like a button-operated traffic light crossing like the one outside Lidl, they felt it was necessary there but we feel that it’s more dangerous at this point of Plymouth Road and it should have a safer crossing.

‘I’ve had several near misses on that crossing as have many of the people who have signed the petition.’

A spokesperson from Devon County Council said: ‘The crossing has a good safety record over many years and we are yet to see the official collision report from the police on the recent collision at this site.

‘Due to its position, between the entrance and exit of the garage, there is only room for a zebra crossing at this location. Belisha beacons are visible from both accesses to the garage, which means that zebra crossings can be safely sited within five metres of a junction or access. Pelican and toucan signals are directional and cannot be seen from adjacent junctions and entrances. The minimum distance which applies for signalled crossings is 20 metres.’