THE number of elderly people living in an area should be taken into account when applications for pedestrian crossings are considered Lancashire County Council is to be told.

Burnley councillors agreed to make the point to county when considering a petition from residents of Burnley Wood for a crossing in Parliament Street.

They were told the county had agreed to do a pedestrian count at the top end of the street between Plumbe Street and Finsley Gate to decide whether a pedestrian crossing would be feasible there.

Coun Donald Hall commented: "They should also be asked to consider the number of elderly in the area when considering the criteria for a crossing.

"I have been involved in other attempts to get pedestrian crossings in Brunshaw when the number of cars and the number of accidents seemed to be the only considerations. "

He said it was often difficult for the elderly when they had to cross a busy road and that should be taken into account.

Coun Beryl Barnes said at the bus station pedestrians had just seven seconds to get across the road. "Old people only get to the centre of the road before the light starts flashing," she added.