A new pedestrian crossing will finally be installed across a busy town centre road.

Shoppers in Marlow High Street currently struggle to cross the road safely between The Causeway and Higginson Park, and plans to create a new pedestrian crossing there were suggested by Marlow Town Council last year.

Transport for Bucks (TfB) will install new pedestrian crossing refuge islands outside Burgers in a joint scheme with the town council and Local Area Forum, with LAF funds being used for the work.

The first phase of the work, which involves installing the refuge islands and is expected to start next Monday (October 29), will be carried out under the same night closures as the Marlow Bridge bollards and will take around five nights, depending on the weather.

The second phase, to remove the adjacent parking spaces and complete a dropped kerb, will be carried out later in the year.

Marlow mayor Chris Funnell enthusiastically welcomed the news, saying: “I’m delighted that after a long campaign to push for this project to get going, the crossing on The Causeway is now finally being started.

“Safety is our first priority and we need to ensure that everyone, particularly the disabled, young people and the elderly, have a safe way of crossing the road to get to the park.

“The new refuge will also act as a visual signal to drivers to be vigilant in that area.”

Bucks County Council’s deputy leader and transport cabinet member, Mark Shaw, added: “I’m also really pleased that TfB have scheduled the first crossing works for the same time as the bridge works – when teams can share road closures it not only minimises disruption in the town, it saves money.

“I’m looking forward to seeing the new bollards and the crossing completed – I think they will both be good for the town.”