RESIDENTS on a new housing estate are having to act as ‘lollipop ladies’ to help their children across a major road because a pedestrian crossing is still not yet working.

Housing developer Taylor Wimpey has been criticised for failing to uphold a planning condition to complete work installing a pedestrian crossing next to the new Pathfinder Place housing development between Bowerhill and Melksham.

The crossing was installed last year close to a roundabout to enable adults and children to safely cross the busy A365 to the town centre and the nearby Melksham Oak Community School.

Cllr Nick Holder said: “Taylor Wimpey as part of their planning consent have a legal requirement to carry out the installation of the pedestrian crossing and street lights at Bowerhill.

“They say they have had some discussions with SSE, the electrical supplier, but we have been asking them to switch on the crossing and street lights since last October.

“Some mothers are so fed up about it they are acting as lollipop ladies to shepherd their children across the road,” he said.

Cllr Holder accused Taylor Wimpey of ‘passing the buck’ on to energy services provider SSE, which is responsible for laying the power cables needed for the street lights and crossing.

He added: “Taylor Wimpey has been, and continues to remain, negligent in fulfilling their legal requirements.

“Wiltshire Council are now pursuing potential enforcement action to make them carry out what they are legally required to do but Taylor Wimpey is continuing to blame other providers and pass the buck.”

The lack of a safe crossing on the A365 for pedestrians and cyclists has previously been described as an ‘accident waiting to happen’.

Residents claim to have witnessed confusion at the unfinished crossing, with pedestrians trying to use it and drivers unsure about who has the right of way when on the approach.

A spokeswoman for Taylor Wimpey said: "We understand the concerns of local residents and would like to assure them that we are committed to completing all outstanding works at Pathfinder Place at the earliest opportunity.

“We continue to work closely with our contractors, service company and highway authority to ensure that the highway works are completed as soon as possible.

“We apologise for any inconvenience as we continue to work in the area and thank local residents for their ongoing patience.”