A CONTROVERSIAL school crossing will be installed outside Padiham’s super-school – despite the misgivings of residents and borough and county councillors in the town.

Work on a new ‘toucan’ crossing can now begin opposite the main pedestrian entrance for Shuttle-worth College, the Building Schools for the Future venture which replaces the former Gaw-thorpe High, in Burnley Road.

But neighbours and councillors complained that the site of the planned walkway was a nonsense – as youngsters routinely crossed elsewhere to get to the school.

The Lancashire Local Burnley committee heard that the majority of pupils from Padiham town centre crossed at nearby Dryden Street, while students from the Burnley direction used the crossing at Byron Street.

Otherwise the favourite crossing point appeared to be near the service station beside Cowley Crescent, councillors were told.

County Coun Marcus Johnstone, Padiham and Burnley West division, said: “I think that the crossing needs to go at the Texaco garage site, which is where the majority of children cross the road. If you put it in its original place, then it would not be used – it would be a white elephant of a ‘toucan’ crossing.”

He dismissed concerns about traffic problems surrounding Cowley Crescent, saying the garage could be asked to create a one-way system in and out of their premises.

One resident said that since the school opened just over a week ago, he had only seen one pupil cross the road at the planned crossing site.

He said there were already problems with parents stopping on double yellow lines outside the pedestrian entrance to drop off and pick up pupils.

County Coun Steven Large, Burnley Rural, disagreed that Cowley Crescent was under-used by motorists.

“Cowley Crescent is busier than Marcus is saying. It is the main feeder road for Lower-house, where you have got Scott Street and Victoria Road at the back of the garage,” said Coun Large.

Recommending the crossing be approved, Coun Maureen Mar-tin, committee chairman, said: “My main priority is the safety of children. We employ officers with expertise and my instinct would be to follow their recommendation.”

Highways officials warned that if the original location was rejected, it would take another two months to advertise a possible alternative. Councillors voted to follow the highways officers’ advice.