CAMPAIGNERS are rejoicing after a dangerous Canvey crossing is to be replaced with a pelican crossing after a two year campaign.

Hundreds of islanders signed a petition to get traffic lights installed at a zebra crossing near the Castle View estate, in Somnes Avenue, to help children walking to St Katherine’s Church of England School and Winter Gardens Primary School, safely cross the road.

Engineers started work on the £140,000 crossing after a campaign by councillors, parents and MP Rebecca Harris.

Residents claim the crossing, which is on one of Canvey’s main roads, is extremely dangerous as pedestrians come straight onto the crossing from two alleyways, making it hard for drivers to see them. In the most recent incident, a woman in her twenties was hit by a car last November, leaving her with minor injuries.

Mother-of-two Jackie Young, of Pattenburg Road, Canvey, started a petition with fellow Canvey parent Mairi Hallett – gathering 280 signatures.

She said: “It has been an extremely long and drawn out process, but I am so pleased it is all set to begin. We just want to see all the work we put in become a reality and to know it is only days away is brilliant. I can’t wait to see the children and residents benefit from the crossing.”

Ray Howard, chairman of Castle Point local highways panel has been campaigning for the pelican crossing since 2011.

He added: “I am delighted that this work is finally going to be undertaken. It has taken a lot longer than envisaged but all that matters is it will be functional very soon.

“It is one of the busiest roads in Canvey and the fact that so many children use the road make it even more significant that work will begin.

“This is a real danger and I cannot emphasise enough how important a development this is.”