Audley youngsters will be safer thanks to the new crossing

Safety's on the level for villagers

A brand new state-of-the-art electronic Puffin pedestrian crossing has been drafted in to replace the old Zebra crossing on New Road (the B5500.)

The new crossing comes complete with electronic sensors which help make it more responsive to the demands of a busy modern road.

It is also been fitted with tactile paving and drop kerbs to ensure blind and partially sighted people, wheel chair users and parents with prams can use it with ease. With the Community Centre nearby it will be a real boon for the village.

The Staffordshire Highways Team has also put in an uncontrolled pedestrian crossing in Church Street, again using tactile paving and dropped kerbs to make it easier for everyone to get about.

Bus passengers have benefited too, with the bus stop on the north side of New Road getting a new purpose built "platform."

The new breed of low-floor buses can now "dock" making access easy and safe for everyone, especially older users, parents with buggies and shopping, and wheel chair users too.

Local County Councillor Eddie Boden said it was something for everyone to celebrate.

"The new Puffin crossing is a real safety boost for the whole community. The improvements will make things safer for everyone as they get out and about between Audley and Bignall End.

"And the more everyone walks the livelier and more positive the community will become, cutting congestion and pollution and improving the sense of interconnectedness. It's a great place to live. This will make it even better," he said.