A SCHOOLGIRL has launched her own campaign lobbying for a crossing to help her and others get to lessons safely.

Eleven-year-old Lucy Ross catches the bus to Didcot Girls’ School from Upton village hall.

After finding it dangerous to cross the A417 safely, she decided to do something about it and is lobbying her local politicians to take action.

She has written a letter to Wantage MP Ed Vaizey and Oxfordshire county councillor Stewart Lilly calling for a crossing to be built on the busy stretch.

Lucy, who is also concerned for the safety of her brother Jamie, said in her letter: “It is difficult to cross the A417 most mornings to get to the bus stop and I’ve regularly waited five minutes to cross safely. When I come home in the afternoon it is getting quite dark, and this will only get worse as winter comes.

“The amount of traffic on the A417 will only increase over the next few years and neither of us want to be hit as we cross.”

Lucy, who lives in Chilton Road, also addressed Upton Parish Council last month urging councillors to call for the crossing.

Lucy’s father Ian Ross said: “This crossing has been a long time objective for the parish council and the villagers.

“Unfortunately the highway work in Upton and Hagbourne Hill, which is designed to slow the traffic down, excluded the crossing.”

Business continuity worker Mr Ross added: “There is a precedent for a crossing on the A417. One was built at East Hendred.

“If a crossing was built here it would support a whole village – the elderly as well as the young.

“Money is being spent on safety improvements to Hagbourne Hill and a crossing could be built here at the same time but the council appears to have ruled that out.

“The traffic comes through the village very fast and there have been a number of accidents over the years, but none involving a pedestrian.

“I wouldn’t want one of my children or anyone else to be involved in an accident. I know the county council is short of money but it has some money to spend on transport and I think a crossing here would be a very worthwhile investment.

“I think Lucy has done well to lobby for the crossing – she delivered the letter to Mr Lilly herself.”

Hendreds and Harwell county councillor Mr Lilly said he backed Lucy’s campaign, adding: “Hopefully this could be pursued through developer funding if a development came along.”