A LONG-RUNNING campaign to install a crossing in Burnham to protect residents from heavy construction traffic has faced another setback.

Worried parents started a petition to get a pedestrian crossing in Southminster Road, outside Ormiston Rivers Academy, after they became concerned lorries working on building the Turncole windfarm posed a safety risk.

Last year windfarm company RES confirmed it was working on plans for the crossing, which was expected to cost around £45,000, with Essex Highways.

But the highways team has been forced to go back to the drawing board after an audit of the road highlighted a number of issues.

It comes days after the Maldon local highways panel agreed to support the project.

A spokesman for Essex Highways said: “The Maldon Local Highways Panel is still committed to building this zebra crossing on Church Road, Burnham.

“Unfortunately, design work has been delayed due to issues highlighted by the Road Safety Audit.

“The Essex Highways design team is now urgently drawing up new plans to alleviate these issues.”

But Lisa Drury, of Glebe Way, Burnham, said: “What have they been doing for the past year and a half?

“RES have said they are going to pay for it and if the windfarm is finished they would still pay for it.

“As far as I was concerned it was going to be put in place in September, I didn’t realise nothing had been decided.

“I am glad they have realised there needs to be a crossing up there but I am upset it has taken all this time.

“I wouldn’t blame RES if they took their money elsewhere. They have been really good to the town.”

The petition, calling for the new crossing, attracted 418 signatures, on paper and online, calling for a zebra crossing or lollipop lady on the road to “keep our children safe” while 1,500 vehicles use the route to the wind farm.

Turncole windfarm is expected to be completed by autumn 2016.