A PUFFIN crossing is now fully operational, but this has come 9 months after it was constructed.

Delays in the crossing on Station Road, Pershore going live were caused when Worcestershire County Council required homebuilder Persimmon to provide a risk assessment of the crossing before full operational consent would be provided.

The puffin crossing is located opposite Pershore High School, crossing into the Wyre Meadows development.

Persimmon Homes were working with Worcestershire County Council to carry out road improvements on the junction of Station Road and Wyre Road, as part of access to their new housing development.

When the risk assessment was provided the Council noted that part of the assessment had not been undertaken, the checking of the standard of operation including the illumination of the crossing at night time. Therefore consent was not issued and the crossing was not opened.

A spokesman for Worcestershire County Council said, “We have been working with Persimmon on the puffin crossing at Wyre Meadows. Unfortunately delays have occurred as the crossing was not compliant with national regulations. We are pleased to see that this crossing is now up and running.”

The works were essential in order to accommodate the new housing development being built along the route and included the installation of permanent 4-way traffic lights, widening of the existing highway and pedestrian crossing points.

No one from Persimmon Homes South Midlands was available for comment.