By RACHEL SPENCER

PENSIONERS in Lymm will soon have their wishes answered now that the borough council has agreed to put a pelican crossing near their homes.

Disgruntled people from Booths Hill House have been calling for the council to sort out a crossing on their road, to give them back their independence.

An angry group of pensioners, aged in their 80s and 90s, have led a lengthy campaign to improve safety, taking to the streets after an increase in traffic on Cherry Lane forced them to curb their trips to the Spar shop over the road.

Now the borough council has agreed to put a pelican crossing on Booths Hill Road, near to Cherry Lane, which will improve safety for elderly residents and people on Mottram Grove.

Clr Sheila Woodyatt, who has been calling for a crossing for years, said: "I am very pleased. They are talking about having it done this financial year before March 2002. As far as I am concerned the sooner we get it the better."

The borough council also plans to re-design the Cherry Lane and Booths Hill Road junction, which will prevent the one-way system being abused, widening the footpath on both sides of Cherry Lane, particularly near to Booths Hill House, and narrowing the entrance to Cherry Lane.

And some room will be set aside for parking at the shop, with the entire roadworks scheme being funded by developer Cherryfields, which is building on Cherry Lane.

Clr Ian Marks said: "This is what we have been trying to get, a community dividend. If developers get planning permission then it is good if we can get something back."

A spokesman for the borough council confirmed that the crossing would be built this financial year, but officers are unable to confirm a start date as yet.