Marlborough residents say they feel "unsafe" trying to cross the "ridiculously dangerous" High Street and regularly face near misses.

The High Street is lined with shops on each side and separated with parking spaces in the middle.

People who regularly cross the road say it has become a 'danger hotspot' because of inadequate pedestrian crossings which aren't easily visible. 

Louise Campbell said: “There isn’t a proper crossing unless you walk all the way to the town hall, and even then you still have to cross Kingsbury Street. It’s ridiculously dangerous.

The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald: Many locals use the unmarked crossing points in the middle of the High Street, where cars aren't obligated to stop.Many locals use the unmarked crossing points in the middle of the High Street, where cars aren't obligated to stop. (Image: Newsquest)

“For the many children who go to St John’s and live on the west of the town, they have to cross the road twice a day to get to school with no crossing. It’s a miracle no one has died to be honest.”

Currently, residents wanting to cross have to walk the whole length of the street to the zebra crossing near the town hall, or use an 'unofficial crossing point' in the middle.

Multiple residents have reported 'near misses' with cars as a result.

Louise's concerns have been echoed by Hannah McBurney, a store assistant at Superdrug, who told the Gazette and Herald she experienced three near misses on the street in just one day.

"I was crossing from One Stop to Cancer Research when one car stopped to let me cross and another car overtook them because they couldn’t be bothered to wait for me to cross.

"I crossed back over again at the same crossing and stepped out because the road was clear, only for a car to come out of nowhere and they had to do an emergency stop."

The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald: The official zebra crossing is at the far end of the High Street, just past the Town Hall.The official zebra crossing is at the far end of the High Street, just past the Town Hall. (Image: Newsquest)

Sarah Curry said that "you certainly have to have your wits about you" when crossing the road in the town.

"It's like a driving game down the High Street," she said. 

Drivers have pointed out that the 'unofficial crossings' in the middle of the High Street are often difficult to see due to parked cars and a lack of markings.

"I nearly ran someone over as I just couldn't see them," one driver said.

The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald: Marlborough High Street has been described by locals as a 'dangerous driving game'.Marlborough High Street has been described by locals as a 'dangerous driving game'. (Image: Newsquest)

Marlborough Town Council acknowledges that the crossings could be improved and wants to introduce a new controlled crossing, but says that currently funds just aren't there.

"To proceed it would need to be a fully controlled crossing at significant cost, which would require funding beyond what is allocated," said Town Clerk Richard Spencer-Williams.

He continued: "The council has raised the issue through Wiltshire Council and continues to explore how the pedestrian experience can be improved.

“It has also commissioned a traffic modelling exercise to see what options there may be to calm traffic flow through the town.”