THE mum of a teenager who could have been killed when using a zebra crossing has applauded the council’s decision to make the road safer.

Dylan Grother suffered terrible injuries three years ago when the crossing on Hay Lane. Then 14, he was walking to the bus stop en route to Royal Wootton Bassett Academy.

After mum Clarisse lobbied the Swindon Borough Council and presented a petition signed by more than 800 people, the cabinet agreed to bring in better signs and an advisory 20mph zone near the crossing in West Swindon.

It also agreed to introduce more school safety zones and will talk to teachers and parents to come up with a prioritised list of those that pose a danger.

Council leader David Renard said: “I want to point out the council has been creating school safety zones for some years – this is just extending that.”

Mrs Grother, 49, said: “It’s good that something is being done.

"I hope that the work can be done before the schools go back in September. And it’s important the council doesn’t just do the work and forgets it but continues to monitor the road and the speeds of cars by the crossing.

“The number of near-misses people have experienced there is really high. That’s why so many people felt so strongly and signed the petition. We have to see the speeds come down near the crossing.

“If they don’t, then I will carry on campaigning for it to be made safer.”

The council’s cabinet member for highways Maureen Penny said: “This shows the process for getting roads made safer works. We can respond to concerns and get improvements made – it’s a process which will see improvements to road safety.

South Swindon parish councillor Trish Philpot helped Mrs Grother with her campaign.

She said: “It will be welcome news for all the residents who attended public meetings, signed petitions and campaigned for this.

"They haven’t got everything they asked for but better signage, a more visible crossing and a recommended 20mph speed limit will no doubt help. It would be even better if the work could be carried out before children go back to school in September.”

The cabinet agreed to fund £500,000 of road improvements near schools.

The new ranking system uses factors such as the last three years of reported collisions which caused injuries and involved children outside or going to school in the morning and afternoon, the type of road, whether more people use cars, or bicycles or walk, whether neighbours and parents have raised their concerns, and the existence of an up-to-date school travel plan.