A long-awaited zebra crossing will be laid in the wrong place and will not solve problems on a major road into Shrewsbury town centre, residents said today.

Parents of youngsters at Greenfields School had requested a crossing to ensure a safe journey for pupils attending the site but proposals put forward by Shropshire County Council put the crossing a quarter of a mile away.

Mike Jones, a resident of Wood Street, said the zebra crossing on Ellesmere Road would be a complete waste of time and could, in fact, endanger lives.

He said residents had believed the crossing was going to be situated near a sewerage pumping station and row of shops in Greenfields, closer to the school.

But he said he was outraged to spot highways staff chalking out the template for the crossing further towards the railway bridge.

Councillor David Farmer, of Shrewsbury and Atcham Borough Council said: “They are going to put a zebra crossing virtually on the bridge against the wishes of the general public and the councillors. We told them we wanted it by the supermarket, where there is a straight - I am hopping mad about it.”

Phil Crossland, assistant director strategic highways and transportation for Shropshire Council, said the authority was meeting today with councillor Roger Evans to finalise the location of the crossing.

He said the council were investigating moving the crossing a further 10 metres towards the town centre.