A GRANDMOTHER is leading a campaign to get a new pedestrian crossing in Kearsley.

Sarah Newton, aged 49, of Manchester Road, is fearful for children at Spindle Point Primary School.

More than 120 parents and residents have signed her petition which calls for a pelican crossing in Manchester Road, or a lollipop patrol to be put into place in the mornings and afternoons.

Mrs Newton said she faced a struggle every day to get across the busy road when she takes her grandchildren to and from the school.

She said talks with Bolton Council officials had revealed there were not enough pupils to justify a lollipop person and they would not install a pelican crossing.

She said: "Essentially, they are saying that the lives of our children are not as important as others in the Bolton area.

"If there were 20 children crossing the road to get to school, they could act, but unfortunately we have fewer than that.

"Unfortuantely I think something terrible will have to happen before anything gets done.

"We don't just want this for the children. There are a lot of pensioners and other people who need to cross the road. We would like something done for them as well."

School headteacher Barbara Booth has thrown the school's weight behind the campaign.

She said: "We would certainly back Mrs Newton in her campaign. It is a busy and dangerous road. We tried to get a lollipop person a few years ago, but again we were told that we did not have enough children to warrant one."

"This is not just about the school, it is about the public as well because it is a very busy stretch of road."

A Bolton Council spokesman said they had looked into the issue but because there were only 15 children who crossed the road they could not justify a lollipop person.

He said: "We have undertaken local consultation, but found that there is a greater need elsewhere. We have to take the whole of Bolton into consideration.

"There is also a national shortage of lollipop people and Bolton is also struggling to recruit at the momment."

There were also strict criteria governing the placement of pelican crossings which the road did not meet.

A traffic island will be built to help pedestrians get across the road -- but Mrs Newton said it would not offer enough protection.