AROUND 400 people have signed a petition calling for an improved crossing on the A48 through a Forest village.

Villagers in Newnham say they want the zebra crossing in Lower High Street upgraded to a pelican crossing and Newnham Parish Council started the petition to get local support.

Parish council chair Joy Larkham said: "Many parishioners want action on the zebra crossings in the village, particularly the one in Lower High Street.

"The crossings are dangerous because traffic often ignores the zebra crossings. We need a light-controlled crossing to stop the traffic to allow people to cross safely."

Cllr Larkham said the council was still putting pressure on the highways department of Gloucestershire County Council to upgrade the crossing.

Local county councillor Richard Leppington (UKIP, Blakeney and Bream) said he supported the call for an improved crossing and hoped that it could be put forward as a project to the county council.

Following a spate of accidents on the A48 recently, representatives from parishes along the road met with Gloucestershire Highways, the county's road safety partnership and the police.

Cllr Leppington said: "It was a very positive meeting and there were two main developments from it.

"The road safety partnership will allow parishes to borrow speed cameras and give them training so they can monitor driving in problem areas.

"Information will be forwarded to the police for targeted enforcement action.

"Parishes will also be able to draw up projects that they feel will improve safety in their areas.

"This will be costed by (Gloucestershire) Highways with a view to match funding projects."