TRAFFIC-conscious Evesham Road residents have called on the town's MP for help in the fight to get a new crossing.

Jacqui Smith has joined the battle for an improved crossing on the busy road near Hanover Court in Headless Cross after residents highlighted the problem of crossing it.

And in response to a letter sent by Ms Smith last year, Worcestershire County Council agreed to make improvements -- but not during this financial year.

Ms Smith said: "This is not good enough, the county council has agreed improvements will benefit pedestrians, including schoolchildren. I want them to prioritise this improved crossing and deliver it as soon as possible."

She said dozens of Hanover Court residents had written to her and people were signing a petition which she planned to present to the county council.

And a county council spokesman said there were two requests for zebra crossings on Evesham Road, one outside Hanover Court and another 200 yards further north.

He said the Hanover Court request was 71st out of a programme of 122 schemes, while the proposal further up the road was 13th.

And county councillor for Redditch South Philip Gretton added: "We'd love to get all 122 schemes on the list completed as they would all contribute to improving community safety, which is a county council priority.

"However, all schemes are graded according to their need and there are schemes in Redditch, as well as others in the rest of the county, and they have to be carried out first.

"If we pushed this scheme to the front, which other scheme would Ms Smith want to shelve?

"If we got more cash from the Government, we could deliver these schemes much more quickly. If we don't get more cash, then it'll have to wait until funds are available."