A PROPOSED puffin crossing from the Giblands Estate to the filling station and convenience store across the busy Exeter Road, in Okehampton was rejected by West Devon's Partnership Committee, this week.
Councillors at the meeting held on Monday questioned whether £27,000 should be spent on the scheme and supported an amendment to look at other possible solutions to improve road safety in the area.
Cllr Bill Cann was not in favour of the proposal, because he said narrowing the road to introduce the crossing could result in a more dangerous situation.
'I think before we jump in and spent £27,000, we should look at other alternatives,' he said.
The proposal would have removed the existing central island and replaced it with a puffin crossing to increase pedestrian safety for residents of the Giblands estate.
Mike Parnell, local services officer told the meeting: 'This is all about pedestrian safety as well as road safety.'
His report prepared for the meeting noted there had been seven recorded crashes in the vicinity since January 1999, and the area had been highlighted during an accident cluster review earlier this year.
In March this year, a 30mph speed limit was introduced along this part of the road, which had previously had a speed limit of 40mph.
The manager of the Londis store, which forms part of the Exeter Road filling station had supported the proposal.