DINAS Powys residents have launched a fresh campaign for a pedestrian controlled crossing on Murch Road.

A well-attended protest was held on Tuesday morning this week, with local residents crossing the road several times in a bid to show the “urgent need” for a crossing in the area.

Dinas Powys councillor Val Hartrey, who represents the Eastbrook ward, organised the protest and thanked everyone for attending the peaceful demonstration.

She said that the predominantly elderly local residents needed a crossing to help them reach shops and services either side of the road. Protestors also raised concerns about schoolchildren crossing the road and the amount of traffic in the area.

“Ward members and residents have been trying to get a crossing here under the Safe Routes to Communities scheme for several years but so far we have been unsuccessful,” said Cllr Hartrey.

She said that the Murch shops were divided into two halves, with residents struggling to get to Castle Drive and Camms Corner.

“To get from one side to the other entails crossing the busy Murch Road between two road junctions,” she said.

“At present, this can be difficult and time consuming as there is a constant movement of traffic.”

She added that the problem would get worse with future developments in the area and an increasing population.

“The situation will be exacerbated when the new medical centre at the top of Murch Crescent opens in a year’s time, entailing more traffic and the surely inevitable building of 300 new houses in the same location within a few years.

“Meanwhile, we have the Fairoaks sheltered housing complex within 50 yards and a large number of elderly and disabled residents.

“Also, there is a popular library in Fairoaks which is used as a route through to Murchfield Hall which is in constant use.”

Rene Gannon, 74, said local residents desperately needed a crossing as “the area is split into two and cars are getting faster and faster”.

She added: “This will be the last campaign before I die.

“This will be my aim as we haven’t got time to wait.”

Doreen Wolfe, 80, uses a guide dog and has been campaigning for a pedestrian crossing on the road for many years. She said that she struggles to cross it during busy times.

“I have been unable to cross the road by myself for the last few months,” she said.

Michael Clogg, operational manager for highways and engineering, said the Vale Council was trying to find a solution to the problem.

“The council has worked with the local community to submit two applications to Welsh Government for Safer Routes in Communities funding. The bids in 2010/11 and 2011/12 for funding to establish a 20mph zone along Murch Road in Dinas Powys in the vicinity of Castle Drive were not successful and so we are now working with local elected members to find a way to address residents’ concerns.”