A GROUP of worried Ferndown residents are fighting to stop an £85,000 pedestrian crossing being built in what they say is the wrong place.

More than 72 people living at Homelands House retirement flats in Ringwood Road have signed a petition to protest against Dorset County Council plans for a dual puffin crossing over three lanes right outside.

Cars stopped there could block fire engines coming from Ferndown Fire station, they say, and it would be much better placed 100 metres up the road at the busy Victoria Road and New Road junction.

Resident Rodney Darr-ington, 72, said: “There’s no rhyme or reason behind where the council have chosen to put it.

“There have been plenty of near misses just up the road, where there’s no indication which lane of traffic is going to come next.

“It comes independently and there’s no control.

“You take your life in your hands there.

“The council is missing out on a golden opportunity to put this right.”

Homelands has 124 flats, making it one of the biggest retirement developments in Dorset, he says, and a takeaway business has just submitted a planning application for the car salesroom next door.

“We have one entrance and exit,” Mr Darrington said.

“It’s a very busy road and we will have difficulty getting out of our drive.”

Residents of St George’s House, also on Ringwood Road, asked for a crossing, a council spokesman told the Echo.

They then carried out a survey to see if there was a need, and Cllr John Wilson supported the proposal.

The Roads and Rights of Way committee approved the proposal, in the face of the Homelands House’s petition.

If the cabinet give it the green light on Thursday, work could start by the end of the month.