Plans to install a crossing on a busy town centre street have been given the go-ahead.

Lyme Regis Town Council approved plans for a puffin crossing on Broad Street, Lyme Regis, at a recent full council meeting - but concerns were raised over the loss of parking spaces as a result of the scheme.

Plans produced by Dorset County Council’s highways team for a crossing between the Pug and Puffin and children’s clothing store Primary Colours originally went before the town council in October. The plan detailed a loss of seven to eight parking spaces. While the town council was supportive of the crossing ‘in principle,' councillors expressed concerns about the reduction in parking spaces and requested that the county council consider alternative locations along Broad Street. The town council suggested that the crossing could be moved higher up the street, near the post office, and also requested for the bus stop outside the Co-op store to be moved near the junction of Silver Street.

But DCC’s response, which was discussed by the town council last week, was that the Pug and Puffin was the ‘only practical location.'

It said the town council’s suggestion of the area between Silver Street and Tesco Express was not viable as space was needed to accommodate businesses.

Cllr Cheryl Reynolds was strongly in favour of the crossing and expressed ‘despair’ that fellow councillors ‘moaned’ about the loss of parking spaces.

“We’ve worked so hard getting everyone on board at DCC, she said. “For all our councillors to moan about the loss of parking spaces. We need a crossing in this town. If that’s the only place we can get it, we should go ahead with it.”

Cllr Reynolds added that the loss of spaces was ‘irrelevant’ whereas the crossing was ‘essential.’

“We are the only town that has not got a crossing at some point,” she said.

Cllr Jeff Scowen agreed.

“God forbid there is an accident,” he said. “We’ve got to go for the crossing."

Cllr Steve Miller said the town council had ‘gone down this route with the best of intentions.’

While he admitted the potential loss of parking was an issue, he expressed concern that money and resources currently being offered by DCC might not be available in the future.

Councillors approved the proposals.