MUMS are threatening to take direct action, including blocking the A4, if the county council installs a pedestrian crossing in the wrong place on London Road, Marlborough.

They say they will cross and recross the road carrying placards protesting against the plan to site the crossing to the east of the entrance to St Margarets Mead instead of the other side, closer to the town centre.

Town councillor Marian Hannaford said: "Feelings are running very high among the residents in the area. They could have had a crossing a year ago if they were prepared to accept one to the east of St Margarets Mead but that is not what they want."

Mrs Hannaford wrote to Wiltshire County Council earlier this year putting the residents' point of view.

She wrote: "At a recent meeting with a number of residents from St Margarets Mead they objected most strongly to this siting as it is entirely opposite to their needs.

"A high proportion of the town's primary school children live here and have to cross the A4 daily to go to the town's only junior school. These children need this crossing on the west side of St Margaret's Mead to help them arrive safely at St Peter's School."

At Marlborough Town Council's meeting on Tuesday night, Coun Margaret Boulton, who is also the town's county councillor, said that the county council's preference was to put the crossing on the town side of the estate entrance, while Kennet was digging its heels in for the other site.

But a spokesman for the county council said that the east side remained its favoured option. She said: "We are looking to the long-term future of the town and to creating a safe route to St John's School, for which there is a need for a crossing to the east."

She added that the decision on the site is imminent, probably before the end of the week. It will not go to committee but will be decided by officers.

Residents warn there will be trouble if the decision goes the wrong way. Pensioner John McGowan, who lives in St Margaret's Mead, said: "If it goes to the east the only people who will use it will dog walkers."

His wife Marjorie said she would be prepared to join the mums marching across the road. She said: "It makes no sense putting the crossing to the east. It will not help the kiddies who have to go to school at St Peter's and St Mary's."