AN APPEAL has gone out for volunteer school crossing patrol wardens in Starcross following claims children’s lives ‘are in danger’.

The call comes as the main A379 closure, which diverts traffic through residential streets and past Starcross Primary School, has been extended until mid November.

Now parents want to put together their own volunteer crossing patrol to start when the school re-opens after half term.

One parent said: ‘There is dangerous traffic outside Starcross Primary School despite Devon County Council highways saying through traffic is not allow to use New Road.

‘Meanwhile we need a temporary crossing patrol.’

The cause of the A379 works is renovations to the Driftwood Inn, formerly the Galleon.

There have been calls for Teignbridge Council to help by allowing residents temporary free use of the New Road car park where charges have recently been introduced.

The official diversion route is via the A38 then the A380, then the A381 and back to the A379.

County Councillor Alan Connett says the roadworks have highlighted a longer term need for a permanent crossing in the village.

He explained: ‘Devon County has done a lot to divert lorries away from Starcross.

‘Devon Highways has also spoken to the hauliers and I’m told firms have agreed to not go through Starcross.

‘And yet their drivers continue to do so.

‘We have reports of ordinary traffic speeding along the 20mph New Road.

‘I have asked Devon Highways and our local police for more support as I very much appreciate the concerns of parents and the school.

‘For now, we need a temporary solution so children can cross safely to and from school.

‘However, what this has shown is that we need a zebra crossing on New Road as a permanent solution.

‘Cars and lorries would have to stop to let children across and it would greatly improve road safety for the community.’