Two Congleton children have called on Cheshire East Council to provide a crossing on a busy road so they can walk to school safely with their classmates.

Ten-year-old Annabelle and nine-year-old Bella, who attend Mossley Primary School in Congleton, told councillors this week they enjoyed walking to school but felt unsafe crossing Leek Road near its junction with Maxwell Road.

They told the full council meeting of about 100 people at Macclesfield Town Hall: "We love walking to school every day but when we come across the road we feel unsafe, it puts us off walking to school.

"Can you please make us feel safer walking to school? We will be happy if you did."

The two girls, who have conducted their own traffic survey, told the council that in 30 minutes one morning they counted 461 cars and 344 in the afternoon.

"We have seen 91 children cross the road and 106 adults in the morning and afternoon," they said.

"It takes 90 seconds or more to cross the road sometimes and we asked people how they felt about the road and they said it is very busy, very dangerous and it takes a long time to cross and I wish there was someone to help."

They added: "We once saw a year six [pupil] on his own and he nearly got run over by a car that was speeding."

Cllr Craig Browne, chair of the highways committee, congratulated the children on the way they had gathered and presented their evidence.

He told them: "Your desire to walk to school is fantastic and I really, really welcome that, and the council will do all that it can to try and respond to your requests."

Ten-year-old Annabelle and nine-year-old Bella, who attend Mossley Primary School told councillors they enjoyed walking to school but felt unsafe crossing Leek Road near its junction with Maxwell Road.

He added: "I will be asking officers from the council, from our safe travel to schools team, to investigate this and they will contact your school so that you can be involved in the planning with your classmates.

"And I hope that we'll be able to find a solution that helps you and your friends to carry on walking to school, but to feel safe when you do so."

Cllr Browne said Cheshire East is currently consulting on its pedestrian crossing strategy. ({Photo: Cheshire East)

Cllr Browne said Cheshire East is currently consulting on its pedestrian crossing strategy which runs until March 10.