HUNDREDS of people have signed a petition calling for the council to address a road safety risk in the heart of Kilmacolm.

The push, led by resident Lesley Pieri, asks Inverclyde Council to consider the construction of a new pelican crossing on Lochwinnoch Road.

Mrs Pieri told the Tele that it is urgently needed to help pensioners and children cross the road safely near local shops.

She said: "The volume of traffic has become more and more of a problem over the years.

"For older people it can be difficult to cross the section of Lochwinnoch Road that runs through the village centre.

"It's a big wide road and someone who's less mobile could start crossing when there aren't any cars and then by the time they're halfway across a car could be there.

"I've been in the village since 1986 and I don't like the way things have gone with traffic.

"It makes me angry that elderly people and some children cannot get across the road.

"It's just too difficult for them and I don't get why we can't do something about it.

"There will be more businesses coming into the village centre in the near future and I'm concerned that this will make the situation even worse.

"We need to do something now before this becomes a bigger problem."

Among those signing up are a group of pensioners who live in nearby retirement housing on Elphinstone Court.

Elizabeth Cumming and Elsie Montgomery, who live in the complex, say a pelican crossing would make it easier for pensioners to access vital services in the village centre.

Elizabeth, 77, said: "We need to have an easy way of getting across this busy road.

"At certain times when schools are going in and out, you can't get across the road.

"It takes time for older people and parents who are taking their kids to school are not interested in waiting for us to pass.

"It's understandable because they might be running late, but it's still difficult for older people all the same.

"It is intimidating just to step out onto this road."

Elsie, 91, added: "You don't know whether the cars will stop for you.

"It's an issue that's well felt by residents at the retirement housing on Elphinstone Court, I had no problem getting signatures from people in there.

"This is a major problem for older people."

Mrs Pieri says her campaign has already gained more than the 100 signatures required to be brought before Inverclyde Council's petitions committee, which means it should be discussed by elected members later this year once lodged.