AN unpopular zebra crossing has been removed and will be replaced by traffic lights.

Previously dubbed ‘Worcester’s most hated crossing’ by city residents, the Croft Road zebra crossing sees around 2,000 pedestrians and 200 cyclists use it daily.

The work, which began yesterday, is part of a county council scheme to tackle congestion on the troublesome road.

The project was made possible by a £3.2million grant from the Department of Transport and will also see a roundabout removed and improvements to roads into the Cattlemarket car park.

Shannon Perry, a city university student, praised the work, and agreed that the crossing, situated between the Hive and racecourse, was “dangerous”.

“A lot of people in their cars didn’t really stop. I have seen a few primary school children trying to cross,” she said.

“One of their teachers was crossing and a car just went straight across without stopping. Obviously, the children were about to follow the teacher, so it was very dangerous.”

However, she thought the planned Toucan crossing may cause tailbacks back up to the city centre, making traffic worse.

Rob Atkinson, 35, from Warndon, said he supported the change but felt it may not make much difference.

“The problem is, some people just don’t stop for the lights either. That being said, as long as it’s a bit safer to cross for pedestrians, I’ll support it.”

He went on to say, he drives a Vespa bike regularly through the city, and in comparison to other places the traffic is a problem.

“I visit a lot of places and I hate Worcester [for driving]. Everywhere you go, it’s bottle neck after bottle neck.”

"They [the council] do one good thing but if often means creating a new problem and removing something else already good,” he added.

Chris Rowberry, 62, an adult carer from Worcester, said: “I have lived in Worcester all my life and there’s just more and more traffic. They are cutting all the buses. That’s the real issue. That’ll reduce congestion. There used to be a bus every 15 minutes."

Referring to the plan for traffic lights on Croft Road, she said: “Do you think they [drivers] will wait? I’m a carer so safety comes first but you have to be very cautious around here. I hope the lights help.”

Jess Francis, 20, a university student, said cars often “drive straight over” the zebra crossing despite people waiting to cross.

But on the flipside when you’re driving “you’re often sat there waiting as loads of people use the crossing at once”.

Throughout the work, access to Cattlemarket car park from Croft Road will be closed and motorists have been told to use the car park entrance in The Butts.

Temporary traffic lights are in place in Croft Road during the first part of the roundabout work.

The county council said the remaining work can be carried out on the road without any major impact on traffic.

Once the work has been completed, the road will then close overnight between 9pm and 6am for it to be resurfaced and a diversion will be put in place.

The council also plans to improve road widths, pavements and crossings in St John’s with designs expected to be released in the autumn.

The council said money from previous budgets has already been used for measures to reduce congestion and improve signals around the city.