RESIDENTS are invited to have their say on plans for a new pedestrian crossing and one-way system in Wilmslow.

Cheshire East Council has opened informal consultation on plans for a puffin crossing to be installed near Lindow County Primary School.

The proposal is the result of dialogue between councillors and the school’s PTA, management and parents on improving the safety of students crossing Knutsford Road close to the junction with Church Road.

The planned crossing is similar to one further up the street, but highway regulations state that vehicles cannot turn onto a pedestrian crossing, meaning a one-way system would have to be introduced to stop traffic joining Knutsford Road from Church Road.

Cllr Rod Menlove, borough councillor for Wilmslow East, Cllr Ellie Brooks and Cllr Gary Barton, borough councillors for Wilmslow West, have issued a joint statement in support of the proposal.

They said: “Child safety is paramount and the central refuge in the road at the crossing point is inadequate.

“The road layout at the crossing point together with house frontages being in private ownership, leaves one option only for the position of a crossing.

“We do understand that this will be inconvenient but we share the view of Lindow Primary that the balance must be weighted towards safety. The solution of a pelican crossing will also help to slow the speed of traffic in general.”

CEC had faced criticism for distributing consultation letters at a time when many residents were on holiday, but the Guardian understands that residents’ responses will be accepted as late as September 5 – one week later than originally stated.

A second letter drop for houses on Church Road, Links Road and Welton Drive is also expected to take place, with a further two week window for responses, plus a week for additional late responses.

Wilmslow Town Council’s planning committee is set to discuss the proposals on Tuesday, August 30.

Responses should be sent by email to cheshireeasttraffic@cheshireeast.gov.uk.