PARENTS are calling for a safe crossing at a village school on a ’dangerous’ main road.

Despite 20mph speed restrictions being imposed outside Ysgol Talybont two years ago, parents feel a safe crossing similar to that being built in Bow Street would make arriving and leaving school safer for children and parents. They also want parking restrictions along the strecth of road.

The school, which has around 80 pupils, sits on the A487 trunk road, which frequently has cars parked along it - meaning traffic travels on the opposite side of the road.

After reading in the Cambrian News last week that work has begun on a pelican crossing near Ysgol Rhydypennau in Bow Street, parents have launched a petition for a similar safety scheme outside their village school.

It has been seven years since Ysgol Talybont had a lollipop person helping children cross the road, and parents are worried that the current situation is an accident waiting to happen.

Local parent, Anthony Hopkins, who set up the petition, said: “I would like to see a pelican crossing installed on the A487 at Ysgol Gymunedol Talybont to protect the children when crossing the road on the way to and from school.

“This road is the main route from North Wales and experiences high volumes of traffic, which don’t always adhere to the speed limit - which drops from 40 to 30 as they enter the village.

“As a dad of two children who attend the school, I have seen first-hand the speeds of lorries, vans and cars flying through without any regards to the safety of the children and parents at these times of days.”

Another parent, Catrin Mason, added: “This isn’t negative or jealousy towards Bow Street. It is good news that a pelican crossing is being built there. We are just asking if the same can be done here in Talybont.

Local county councillor Ellen ap Gwynn said: “ I totally support the petition from the parents of Talybont. The speed of traffic seems to have gone from bad to worse recently and we need to press upon Welsh Government ministers that Talybont children also need the safety of a Pelican crossing to help them cross this dangerous trunk road safely.

“I have also been campaigning with parents from Taliesin and Llangynfelyn Community Council, to ensure safe crossing points at either end of that village so that children and all residents can cross the road to catch both the school and service buses safely.

“There are speed problems all along the A487 as it goes through our villages in north Ceredigion. Ysgubor y Coed Community Council and residents have long been protesting, to no avail, about the lack of a pavement to allow safe passage from Glandyfi to Eglwysfach and on to Furnace.

“It’s high time there was some investment from Welsh Government to ensure the safety of these communities.”

A Welsh Government spokesperson said: “We take road safety very seriously and will consider the request when it is received.”