A NEW crossing point will be installed on a major Winchester road.

The county council has appointed Colas to install a zebra crossing at Wales Street, Winnall, and resurface the road in a £145,000 scheme.

Cllr Rob Humby, executive member for economy, transport and environment said: “This will create a safer crossing point for pedestrians, especially school children, their parents and university students – we hope that by making crossing the road easier at this point, local residents will be encouraged to walk more to and from local services, schools and the city centre, leaving the car behind for short trips.

“During these works we are also taking the opportunity to resurface this busy section of road making it more resilient to the impact of heavy traffic and adverse weather, while extending the life of the road.”

The crossing is outside the ‘First In Last Out’ pub, and is being undertaken during the school summer holidays to minimise disruption. Work will stop to enable traffic to flow freely to and from the Boomtown music festival.

Construction is due to start on Monday, July 29 and be completed by Tuesday, August 20, weather permitting.

Cllr Humby, added: “To enable us to complete the works as quickly as possible, and ensure the safety of road users and the workforce, Wales Street will be closed temporarily at times, when a fully signed local diversion will be in place. At other times Wales Street will be kept open but with restrictions such as temporary traffic lights.

• From Monday July 29 – The start of the works will see pavement improvements and beacons for the zebra crossing installed. To safely accommodate this, the road will remain open, but a lane closure will be in place from Monday – Friday controlled by temporary traffic lights during off peak hours, 9.30am-4pm;

• From August 5-16 - No works so traffic can flow freely to and from the Boomtown Festival;

• From August 17-19- A full closure of the road will be in place from 7am on Saturday August 17 until 6am on Monday August 19 so the road can be resurfaced;

• From Monday August 19 to Tuesday August 20 – The road will be closed for another night from 8pm to 6am to allow for road markings to be repainted.

For the duration of the works, a parking suspension will be in place at the layby adjacent to the ‘First In Last Out’ pub, as well as the entire parking bay on Ebden Road.

Steve Brine MP said; “This campaign has raged for many years and involved many people, and councillors of all parties and none. New development, lots of young families and a nursery nearby - and a very busy student site just up the road - helped us get this over the line to great relief. Thank you to Cllr Humby and HCC for listening and responding.”