NEARLY 200 people have signed a petition urging Cornwall Council to improve a key pedestrian crossing in Bude, which has been left 'unfinished and dangerous'.

Owners of The Shack restaurant on the Strand, Michelle Jones and Jacob Prior, started the petition following safety concerns over the island crossing near the Bencoolen Road roundabout.

They are urging Cornwall Council to realign the crossing after it was moved when the new bridge was installed.

Michelle and Jacob said: "These 'crossing' islands have been left unfinished and dangerous.

"The section of road that is inbetween the children's park and the Bencoolen, and the section of road by Budeiful Brides and the river, have no safe crossing areas, even though the slabs laid on each pavement suggests otherwise.

"There is nowhere for a person with a child or pushchair, wheelchair or any other pedestrian to cross safely into the middle of the road and there are often very near misses on these sections of road."

MP for North Cornwall Conservative Scott Mann has given his support, along with Cornwall Councillor for Bude, Liberal Democrat Nigel Pearce.

Mr Mann said the crossing should be looked at as a 'matter of urgency'.

"I attended my second surgery in Bude on Saturday. I met with a group who were able to show me the problems on the Bencoolen Bridge roundabout. It is apparent that the central reservations do not line up with the drop kerbs on either side of the road.

"I will be writing to the head of Cormac to ask for this to be made right. It is dangerous as it currently is and I would hope this is looked at as a matter of urgency."

For the full report, and a round-up of the area news and sport, see this week's edition of the Post.