A PEDESTRIAN crossing on a busy Fareham road used by children on their way to school is one step closer.

Transport chiefs at Fareham council have recommended a traffic survey is carried out in Highlands Road, near to the junction with Frosthole Crescent.

During the morning peak hour, council officers will count how many vehicles and pedestrians use the road.

If figures from the survey are sufficiently high, a 12-hour count will be carried out to show the need for a crossing.

Fareham council's action comes after a 180-signature petition was collected by worried mums and dads last month.

They said it was only a matter of time before a serious accident occurred in Highlands Road.

Every day children from nearby Orchard Lea and Oak Meadow schools have to cross the road.

Mum Pauline Mace said a permanent crossing would be better than the school crossing patrol, which is there at certain times of the day.

Louise Ludgate, 28, of Frosthole Crescent, agreed that a crossing would be welcome, especially with so many schoolchildren having to cross the road.

"The cars do go along here very fast," she said.

The elderly are supporting calls for the crossing too.

Frank Roberts, 89, of Highlands Road, said: "There are a lot of elderly people living around here and something like this will really help.

"It's very easy for drivers to pick up speed along here. Many don't take any notice of the signs to slow down outside the physiotherapy centre."

And 70-year-old Kathleen Lowther said she is often too scared to cross the road.

"A crossing is an excellent idea. I have lived around here for the last ten years and the traffic has certainly got a lot worse. I feel very panicky when I cross."

Last month a speed camera was put up on the 30mph stretch of road.

Fareham council's executive is expected to agree that a traffic survey is carried out when it meets on Friday.