A "badly faded" zebra crossing outside the front of a primary school in Ipswich is to "finally" be repainted after months of concerns, bringing an end to a long saga.
The crossing, situated outside Rose Hill Primary School in Derby Road, has been raised as being faded for a long time, with 2022 being the last time they were replaced.
Ipswich Borough Councillor George Lankester has campaigned to make Derby Road safer for all residents, including school children, for some time, with speeding a regular occurrence on the street, and the faded lines causing concern.
He said: "I recently met with Junior Road Safety Officers at Rose Hill Primary School, so I am aware how important improving the crossing is to pupils at the school.
"Their concerns reflect what I have also heard from parents, residents and teachers.
"The road markings on the current crossing are badly faded. I was disappointed that after we requested a review of its safety, Suffolk County Council did not agree that it met the criteria to be repaired.
"Nevertheless, we have finally made progress, and I am thankful for county councillor Elizabeth Farrow’s intervention to fund this from her locality budget.
"I agree with teachers and pupils that this is only the first step in improving safety on Derby Road, however.
"Persistent speeding and a lack of effective treatment of weeds is of significant concern. I will continue to work with residents, the school, and fellow councillors to push for the comprehensive safety improvements Derby Road urgently needs."
Mr Luke Hyland, assistant headteacher at Rose Hill, said: "It's a small victory that the council has agreed to use discretionary funds to repaint the markings, however it is a shame that children in our community and their safety is not put at the forefront of their minds.
"The state of roads, lack of effective signage, fading road markings weeds on pavements and roads mean car users are not respecting the roads and our community.
"Pupils have carried out surveys with members of the community who have said they feel unsafe along Derby Road.
"Whilst I and the community respect and understand that the road markings do not fall foul of the legal limits/the standards the council sets, it is disappointing and certainly something that should be raised more widely as our pupils and our community are not getting an equitable offer from SCC in regard to their safety or sense that they matter."
A spokesperson for Suffolk Highways said: "The zebra crossing on Derby Road is scheduled to be repainted in the new year.
"While it does not meet our threshold to be painted yet, we are pleased that these works will be completed courtesy of cllr Farrow's Local Highways Budget."
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