A PUSH for safer pedestrian routes across the borough has been supported by councillors, after hearing a case study for Weaver and Cuddington ward.

The motion – proposed by Cllr Charles Fifield and seconded by Cllr Gillian Edwards – hopes to support the rollout of more pedestrian crossings in order to better encourage safe walking and the health and environmental benefits it brings.

It will work with communities to identify walking routes which might be used more if a pedestrian crossing were installed.

Cllr Edwards cited two villages with insufficient crossing points in her ward, one of which contained upwards of 5,500 residents with just two pedestrian crossings to serve the two schools.

She added: “Within W&C ward we are currently trying to reinstate a youth club facility, but this project is compromised by a very busy road which divides the village with no pedestrian crossings to allow anyone to access the facility safely.”

Cllr Edwards added that the scheme would be a ‘great example of our commitment’ to tackling the climate emergency, by getting more people walking.

An amendment from Cllr Karen Shore means the council’s emerging local cycling, walking and infrastructure plan will be taken into account, giving a wider range of community views.

Cllr Fifield said that so-called ‘safe walking routes’ for schoolchildren and parents were not helped by a lack of crossing points.

He said: “This is an important issue for many of our residents, especially those with children and older residents.

“I hope the recommended actions are straightforward and will enable us to encourage more residents to walk safely.”

The motion was well-supported across the council.