A zebra crossing is to be installed on a main route outside a primary school.

It will go on the A229 Loose Road, in Loose, near Maidstone, between Walnut Tree Lane and Copper Tree Court, just outside Loose Primary School.

Currently, the school uses a lollipop lady to assist children to cross.

The work is set to be carried out between April 7 and April 21, next year, the Easter half-term break.

A notice announcing the plan said it was due to “a high volume of pedestrians crossing”.

It added: “Kent County Council is installing this crossing to assist safer pedestrian movements across a busy carriageway.

“This will be of particular benefit to children accessing the local schools and the elderly community.

“The new crossing will provide a safer link between the bus stops on either side of Loose Road, Maidstone.”

White zig-zag road markings will be painted on the approaches to the crossing to signify the controlled zone where vehicles must not stop. Stopping within the limits of a zebra crossing controlled area is an offence.

The existing School Keep Clear sign will removed as will the existing double yellow lines.

The street-lighting column on the south side will be moved by 3.5m and the pavement will be resurfaced with red tactile paving.

The pedestrian guardrail on the north west side will be removed, but one will be added on the north east side.

Local ward councillor Brian Clark has been campaigning for a crossing to be installed. He said: “We would have preferred a pelican crossing rather than a zebra crossing, but KCC would only support the latter.”

“Their approach is that controlled crossings should be at least 20m from a turning, whereas zebra crossings have more flexibility, at a minimum 5m distance.

“As the current location is a natural crossing point, had the location been moved to a more compliant location, there would be an increased risk that pedestrians would continue to cross at the current location, reducing safety - this can be observed frequently at The Swan junction on the Loose Road where many residents cross the A229 using the refuge area instead of the controlled crossing point.

“The current school patrol (lollipop lady) only operates at school times and in recent times this service has been inconsistent due to staff illness.

“The new crossing will improve safety throughout the day for any pedestrians - including the elderly - wishing to cross the Loose Road at this location.”

Anyone wishing to make a comment on the scheme should do so before midday on Friday, October 28, via the KCC website.

Quote scheme reference 24-MA-LTP-1547.