A NEW CROSSING has opened near a secondary school in Sholing after continued efforts from a councillor.

Graham Wilkinson, from Sholing ward, he had been persisting for three years for a crossing on Portsmouth Road, to make the road near Oasis Academy Mayfield safer to cross.

Councillor Wilkinson told the Daily Echo that shortly after being elected in 2015 that he became aware just how dangerous it was for children attending the Oasis Academy to cross the road on their way to school.

He said: "I personally witnessed a number of close calls with children needing to dodge between moving vehicles to cross the road, with a clear demonstration by some drivers that they cared little for the safety of the children crossing the road to get to school."

Councillor Wilkinson contacted the Highways Department on two occasions about installing a new crossing but was told both times that it was unlikely that funds would be available.

After continuously requesting for this matter to be taken further, the council listened to Councillor Wilkinson and a new crossing has been implemented.

He said: " I am happy to say we now have a completed and working crossing point.

"During negotiations, I was impressed that all of the engineers I had dealings with were absolutely on-board as to what was needed and I would like to convey my personal thanks to them for the effort they put in towards helping me to achieve a successful outcome."