Puffin crossing in Great Barton moved amid concerns it was damaging residents health

A puffin crossing has been successfully moved amid concerns it was damaging residents’ health.

The crossing, outside the Church Institute Hall on The Street, in Great Barton, is now situated in an area where the air is cleaner and it is safer to cross the road.

Various residents, schoolchildren and town hall chiefs came out to officially open the new crossing on Wednesday.

It comes after Suffolk Highways and West Suffolk Council held an event for residents last summer over concerns the air quality, where the crossing was then based, was deemed poor.

Cllr Andrew Reid, Suffolk County Council’s Cabinet Member responsible for Highways, Transport and Rural Affairs, said: “I am delighted with the highways improvements at Great Barton and the changes we have made to improve the walk to the primary school for many parents and children.”

The high buildings and trees around the area where the old crossing was were creating a ‘canyon effect’ when vehicles accelerated away, with engine fumes entering the atmosphere.

A consultation was held by the council over the air quality concerns and the lack of footpaths near the east side of Great Barton Primary Academy.

Claire Ratley, head of Great Barton Primary Academy, said: “We are very pleased with the new crossing and have already used it with 120
pupils crossing in one go when we walked down to the church at Christmas.”