A ZEBRA crossing will be installed as part of a plan to tackle congestion in St John’s – potentially opening up the area for a new public square.

The new pedestrian crossing in Henwick Road would allow hundreds of elderly residents in St John’s to cross the road safely.

Roads would also be widened and a new signalled crossing would be installed at the entrance of St John’s.

Bush Walk would also be closed off to cars and pedestrianised to create a wider public space and a number of bus stops would be moved and a bus lane removed.

Councillor Richard Udall, who represents St John’s, said the new pedestrian crossing was the result of more than two decades of campaigning.

Cllr Udall said the new crossing would give the hundreds of elderly residents in Cripplegate, Henwick & Severn House a safe way of crossing the road.

He said: “I accepted the work only on the condition that a new pedestrian crossing was installed in Henwick Road.

“I’ve been campaigning for a crossing there for almost 20 years, ever since I became a councillor actually.

“There are several hundred elderly residents nearby who did not have a safe place to cross the road.

“The county council has said previously that the number of people attempting to cross the road meant a designated crossing could not be justified but now their opinion has changed which is very pleasing to see.”

Cllr Udall said a number of ideas had been put forward on what could be done to invigorate the new public space created by the closing off of Bull Walk including busking.

The work should be completed by January 2020.

The proposed work in St John’s is part of a county council project to tackle congestion in a number of ‘hotspots’ throughout the city.

Work to install a new signalled crossing in Croft Road was completed in May and work is currently ongoing in Sidbury.

The improvements have been made possible because of a successful £3.2 million bid by Worcestershire County Council to the Department for Transport.

The fund is handed out to council’s to tackle congestion points and boost productivity on local roads.