DOZENS of villagers did a “mass crossing” of the A48 in Aylburton to highlight the need for a safe crossing of the busy highway.

It is claimed that the first request for a crossing was made in 1953, the year the Queen was crowned.

Aylburton Parish Council has stepped up the campaign to get a safe crossing for pedestrians, including schoolchildren.

A survey by Gloucestershire County Council found 12,000 vehicles a day travelling on the A48 through the centre of the village.

The parish council says that in a village with 700 residents a school, two pubs, two churches, a hall and a playing field, there is no part of the road where pedestrians have priority.

“We have a right to feel safe in our community – and we don’t,” says Mark Topping who chairs the parish council.

He added: “We take our lives in our hands every day to go anywhere in this village: children going to school, parents and toddlers going to the village hall or elderly residents with zimmer frames visiting neighbours.

“If someone dies trying to cross the A48 in Aylburton we will no doubt go to the top of the list to get a crossing.

“Why should someone have to die first?

A pedestrian crossing should be a basic requirement for communities like ours.

“The Highways Authority is meant to be responsible for road safety and they have been failing us for generations.

“We’ve waited 70 years for a crossing – it’s obvious that waiting patiently and quietly isn’t going to get us one.

“That’s why we’re holding this protest.”

The parish council launched its campaign in January with a list of aims including a 20mph limit, a state-of-the-art speed camera and a zebra crossing.

Gloucestershire County Council says it has been working with the parish council in response to a request for a pedestrian crossing.

Pedestrian surveys have been carried out and the results of these will be studied.