ROAD bosses have revealed plans to install zebra crossings at a “dangerous” junction in Johnstone where a pensioner was killed last year.

The crossings are set to be placed on Walkinshaw Street and Dimity Street where they meet High Street.

Two elderly women were knocked down at the junction of Walkinshaw Street and High Street last October, with one of them losing her life and the other needing extensive hospital treatment.

The incident sparked calls for Renfrewshire Council to take action and a four-week consultation was carried out earlier this year, with residents asked what measures they felt should be put in place to make the area safer.

A variety of suggestions were put forward, including traffic lights, a one-way system and a pedestrian crossing.

Now council officers have suggested that installing zebra crossings would be a “proportionate” move, after considering all of the responses and the circumstances of the fatal accident.

Councillor Andy Doig, who represents Johnstone North, raised major concerns about the junction following the accident and a number of near-misses.

He hopes the new plans will reduce risks for drivers and pedestrians alike.

“The council is proposing to install one zebra crossing at the beginning of Walkinshaw Street, as vehicles turn into the street, and another parallel one at the end of Dimity Street, which crucially will slow down any traffic travelling on through Walkinshaw Street,” he said.

“There are a number of issues which make the junction very dangerous. It is effectively a crossroads, so pedestrians need to have eyes in the back of their heads, it is the site of Johnstone’s main Post Office and is adjacent to a sheltered housing complex.

“I am reassured the measures proposed are robust and will address the risk of through traffic from all directions.”

Another consultation will be carried out with the community in the coming weeks to ensure residents are happy with the proposals.

Zig-zag markings are also set to be painted for a distance next to the crossings to keep kerbsides clear of parked cars and maximise visibility for pedestrians and drivers.

Councillor Derek Bibby, who also represents the area, said: “I appreciate the council’s work on this issue and their response to concerns.

“Improvements at this location are long overdue. The zebra crossing proposed will improve safety for pedestrians and help reduce the speeding down Dimity Street towards the junction of High Street.

“I explored the possibility of a puffin pedestrian crossing in High Street but was advised this was not feasible.”