28333- 7More than a year ago people living near a busy Wroughton road were told they would be getting a crossing.

But this week the villagers learnt the delay could finally be over.

They have campaigned for 13 years for the crossing on Swindon Road, and in December 2003 they believed they had been successful.

Then the Adver reported that residents were celebrating a decision by the Area Panel South to go ahead with the £25,000 crossing.

They believed it would be installed in June of last year.

However, now Swindon Council says that installation will begin in two months.

A spokesman said: "There were objections, which delayed it. Then there was a petition handed in to the council, objecting to the proposed location.

"When a petition is received there is a series of procedures that have to be followed. This has now been done and work will begin in the next two months."

But some residents are still not convinced they will ever get it.

Erica Hegg, 39, who lives in Swindon Road, said: "We keep getting false promises.

"We were told we would be getting the crossing in June, December and January, but there is still no sign of it.

"Recently I was under the impression it would go ahead in March. Why have we been given so many dates? I'm concerned that in two months' time we will be in the same position. We've been given several dates before.

"We need confirmation that it will really go ahead this time."

Mrs Hegg, who has two children Abby, aged four, and two-year-old Molly, believes the road is extremely dangerous, particularly for children.

She said: "We don't want to wait for a lethal accident." She believes that as well as helping people get over the road a crossing the road would also help to slow down the drivers.

She said: "Some drivers are so inconsiderate. There's a little girl near here who has a limp, and every day she has to dodge in and out of the traffic. It's terrible.

"If one lane is clear I step out into it and then actually make the traffic stop. I wouldn't be able to cross otherwise. There are young families here. We are still very anxious, dodging traffic trying to get children to school.

Her husband Kevin, 38, said: "It has been a very slow process. This road isn't getting any better, especially in weather like this, when it's really slippery."

David Andrew