“AN accident waiting to happen” is how concerned residents and business people have described changes to Evesham’s High Street.

More than 700 people have signed a petition calling for a crossing to be installed at the top of the High Street after islands in the middle of the road were removed as part of the enhancement works.

Organiser of the petition Jo Packwood, from the Bait Box, told the Journal the changes had made the road difficult to cross and that she now feared for the safety of pedestrians. “The crossing points aren’t adequate,” she said. “They have angled this as a pedestrian-friendly scheme but this is not pedestrian-friendly at all.

“It not only affects us personally, but the whole community at this end of town.”

As well as residents, schools and businesses, members of the Health Walks group, who often have to cross the High Street on their routes, also back the petition. In January, town councillor Gordon Matthews criticised the move, saying that people would be forced to stop in the middle of the road which he described as “a dangerous situation”.

But Richard Attwood, the county council’s engineering project manager, said the old islands failed to meet safety standards as they were not wide enough to accommodate a parent and pushchair or wheelchair and companion.

He said: “To compensate for this, the width of the road has been reduced through the use of build-outs, which will make crossing the road easier and make pedestrians more visible to motorists. These build-outs will also help to reduce traffic speeds through the high street area making it a safer place for shoppers.

“We welcome feedback from residents and traders and will continue to monitor the area through safety audit procedures.”

Meanwhile, work continues on the High Street enhancement with the completion date now expected to be July 1.