A TEENAGER’S campaign for a crossing at a "dangerous" road in Altrincham to be improved has won the backing of town hall bosses.

Eleanor Horner, a 13-year-old student at Altrincham Grammar School for Girls, started a petition because she says most pupils who walk to school struggle to cross the A56 near St Margaret’s Church.

The Year Eight student collected more than 600 signatures so that her petition could be debated by council chiefs.

Her mission was backed by Green Party members councillors Geraldine Coggins and Dan Jerrome, who were drafted in to help launch the appeal.

Speaking during the latest full council meeting on Thursday, Eleanor said: “Most mornings at least 21 cars drive past me before it’s safe to cross the road.  

“In the afternoon there are fewer cars, but they move a lot faster.

“I would like to cycle to school sometimes, but my parents think it wouldn’t be safe for me to cross the A56 on a bike.

“Traffic lights in this area would work well, but it’s not for me to say what improvements could be done, I just want the cars to stop.

“Therefore, on behalf of all Altrincham pupils, please make our walk to school safer.”

Coun Stephen Adshead, the portfolio holder for environment and air quality, said he was very ‘proud’ of Eleanor’s hard work.

“The council will certainly look at what improvements could be made in this area.”

Tory leader Cllr Sean Anstee also welcomed the petition.

“Every pupil deserves a safe walking route to school,” he said.

“We should be looking at making changes here straight away.”

Lib Dem councillor Jane Brophy also backed the petition and said ‘hopefully’ they can make it safer for pupils to cycle to school.

Cllr Jerrome described the current state of the island crossing as ‘very dangerous’ and called for an urgent safety inspection.

“We need a crossing that is fit for purpose,” he said.

“We need to make it safe for cyclists, pedestrians and especially for the many pupils who use it.”

Council leader Andrew Western said the authority would ‘do all it could’ to make the road crossing safer.

He explained that to install a puffin crossing would cost in excess of £130,000, however, the council will ‘get on’ with making the necessary improvements.