Mum in crossing battle

1:10pm Saturday 6th September 2008

A DISABLED woman has launched a protest to stop workmen making a zebra crossing outside her home — by parking her car in their path.

Joanne Murphy gets up early every morning to park her car outside her home in Bolton Road, Horwich, making sure her blue badge is on display.

The 44-year-old claims Westhoughton Town Council has ignored calls by residents and the high school opposite to install a pelican crossing instead.

Both Mrs Murphy and Westhoughton High School’s headteacher Phil Hart say a pelican crossing, which involves pedestrians waiting for a green light before crossing, would be safer than a zebra crossing, where people have to wait for a gap in the traffic.

The mum-of-two also claims it will devalue her house and has concerns youngsters will gather outside her home while trying to cross the road, making it impossible for her to get out of her drive.

Westhoughton town councillor, Arthur Price, said the zebra crossing was wanted by residents.

The zebra crossing was approved by Bolton Council but will be funded by Westhoughton Town Council.