A NEW zebra crossing is to be installed on Ely’s Fore Hill in a bid to improve safety for pedestrians.

The busy road, one of the city’s main transport arteries, links Broad Street with the city centre and is used by hundreds of cars, delivery lorries and shoppers on a daily basis.

With an increase in traffic expected in the months ahead as Sainsbury’s opens its doors on Lisle Lane, Cambridgeshire County Council announced its plans to install the new crossing to help pedestrians navigate the road.

Kevin Hall, traffic engineer at the county highways department, said the crossing, which is being funded by Sainsbury’s as part of its planning permission, will help to “improve safety.”

If all goes according to plan, it is expected that the crossing, which will be located where Fore Hill meets Waterside, will be ready in time for the summer, when Sainsbury’s is expected to open.

According to the plans, markings will also be put in place on the road to stop people loading or unloading near the crossing.