PROBLEMS with a pedestrian crossing near a Buckley school have been fixed.

Councillors Mike Peers and Dennis Hutchinson told the Leader recently of concerns raised about the crossing near the Horse and Jockey Pub.

The crossing, which is just up the road from Mountain Lane School, had been taking too long to change for pedestrians - sparking fears that people, including pupils, would just walk across the road.

But the issue has now been fixed and both councillors said they were pleased with the prompt repair.

Cllr Peers, who is also chair of governors at Mountain Lane School, said: "The council responded quickly and pedestrians should now have priority at the lights.

"We are very grateful because the safety of pedestrians - particularly the children - is paramount."

Cllr Hutchinson said: "They have done a good job. It's very important to get this right because there are a lot of children using this crossing - some unaccompanied. "I am very pleased the council has come out so quickly and identified the problem."

Steve Jones, Flintshire Council’s chief officer for streetscene and transportation, said: “The local members raised some concerns regarding the timings of the new signals to the attention of the Streetscene service earlier this week.

"A subsequent site inspection revealed a fault with one of the detectors, which was immediately rectified and the signals are now operating correctly."

He added the council was to contact Councillors Hutchinson and Peers on Monday (June 10) to discuss further safety concerns they had about the junction and Knowle Lane.

But both councillors told the Leader that following the discussion that they still have some further safety recommendations.

Cllr Hutchinson said he feels the road markings on the Horse and Jockey Junction need adjusting as large vehicles come very close to queuing traffic at the lights when making a particular turn.

He said: "I did a simple but effective test. I own some buses in the town and when I was turning right out of Drury Lane, heading towards St Matthews Church, stationary car users realised how close the bus was coming to them and had to reverse."

Cllr Hutchinson raised the issue with Flintshire Council, but said he had been told there is "nothing wrong with it" - which he disagrees with.

Regarding Knowle Lane, Cllr Peers has called on Flintshire Council to paint 20 miles per hour on the road in order to remind drivers that the speed limit is mandatory - not advisory.