Kirkcudbright pedestrian crossing to be considered by Dumfries and Galloway Council

Dumfries and Galloway Council has said it “would consider” a pedestrian crossing outside a nursery in Kirkcudbright.

The move follows revelations in the News last week that Johnston Nursery harbours serious concerns over road safety.

Staff and tots can face lengthy delays trying to cross a busy St Mary Street going and coming back from outings.

Now Johnston childcare practitioner Keira Firth has launched an online petition calling for the crossing.

It has already attracted more than 100 signatures and a paper version has been circulated round local shops.

The council said: “Dumfries and Galloway Council would consider a request for a pedestrian crossing at the Johnston Centre.

“There are no current proposals for a crossing in the Public Realm Capital Programme for 2023/24.

“Any such proposals would require an assessment to national guidelines and would need to demonstrate a strong positive impact on safety and accessibility with economic justification.

“A feasibility study could be undertaken to look at the merits of such a request when appropriate resources become available.

“But the outcome of any such study would not be implemented in the short term and would require committee approval for funding.”

Nursery manager Hollie Mitchell welcomed the council’s statement and called Kirkcudbright residents to get behind the petition.

She said: “This is not just about us – it’s for the wider community as well. It is only us who have chosen to drive this forward.

“It’s good news that they would consider a crossing and we would welcome them getting in touch with us to help us move forward.

“We would be very happy to work with the council to ensure the crossing happens as quickly as possible – for the benefit of everyone in Kirkcudbright.”

Keira, 19, told the News that inconsiderate drivers often made staff and tots wait for five minutes at the roadside in all weathers.

And she claimed some motorists sped past behind the party before they had crossed while clearly driving in excess of 30mph.

She said in her petition statement on change.org: “We are asking for help to get a zebra crossing outside of the Johnston Centre to help make the roads safer for pedestrians and children at the nursery. We think that it would be very beneficial to everyone in the town, especially during school holidays.”

Anyone wishing to sign the petition online can so by entering ‘Johnston Nursery’ at change.org.