RESIDENTS of a new housing development are calling on a council to reverse its decision to drop proposals for a pedestrian crossing on a nearby main road.

Mother-of-two Vicky McKinlay, who moved into a new home at Red House Gardens in Lower Darwen, believes the change puts children and older people at risk.

She has raised a 75-signature petition calling for a pelican of zebra crossing to be installed on the busy Bolton Road as in the original plans.

Mrs McKinlay believes the pedestrian refuge put in place instead on the A666 by Blackburn with Darwen Council is not safe for elderly people, the disabled and children to use.

She was outraged when she raised the issue with council officials soon after moving into the new family home five weeks ago to be told that the original scheme had been dropped to save cash.

The new 35-home housing estate, built by Wainhomes, is on the site of the former eyesore Bear Hotel at Cravens Brow, damaged by fire in 2010.

Only one of the three and four-bedroomed properties costing £189,000 plus, remains unsold.

Mrs McKinlay, mother to four-year-old Jenna and Alex aged seven, said: "When we moved in we understood there would be a proper zebra or pelican crossing.

"The current pedestrian island/refuge is inadequate and unsafe for vulnerable people, such as the elderly, visually impaired disabled and children - to cross this busy A road safely.

"People cannot walk up to the traffic lights and pelican crossing at Dale View safely because there is no pavement.

"This decision is completely unacceptable and should be changed.

"The refuge is dangerous as pedestrians need judgement to cross as no right of way is given to pedestrians.

"There is a high volume of traffic on Bolton Road, issues with visibility as there is a bend near the crossing, and the problem is worsened at the weekend, as the road is a main route for Ewood Park on match days.

"This refuge will be used by many children to walk to school and the nearby bus stop."

Blackburn South and Lower Darwen Conservative councillor John Slater said: "This situation is unacceptable and unsafe

"I shall be meeting Mrs McKinlay and other residents to discuss this.

"This decision needs to be looked at again.

"I shall be taking this up with the council."

Cllr Phil Riley, Blackburn with Darwen Council highways boss, said: "The pedestrian refuge meets all the Department for Transport and road safety requirements but I shall keep it under review."

The derelict Bear Hotel, previously known as the Red House, had become a dangerous eyesore, a magnet for travellers and young people, and a haven for vermin before Wainhomes submitted a planning application in 2015 demolishing the building and securing the site.