A SAFE walk to school could be just round the corner for hundreds of pupils on an Eastleigh campus, Hampshire's highway bosses say.

A much-needed pedestrian crossing to be installed outside Wyvern Community School and Fair Oak Junior and Infant Schools looks set to win funding soon.

Hampshire County Council transport and highways chiefs will consider the safety measure for the schools in the spring.

A county council spokeswoman said: "It looks promising because they have made good progress with developing a school transport plan which pushes them higher up the list."

The news comes after residents and councillors renewed their plea for safety measures on busy Botley Road.

Fair Oak borough councillor Philip Spearey has urged Hampshire's highway bosses to install the pedestrian crossing as soon as possible.

It has been more than a year sin-ce angry parents highlighted the dangers posed by the road.

In December 1999, villagers and parents finally took to the streets in a bid to win the crossing for nearly 2,000 pupils who run a daily gauntlet of traffic in the area.

But more than 12 months later - and despite 800 local people signing up to support the campaign alongside MP David Chidgey - progress has yet to be made.

Mr Spearey, pictured, told the Echo: "I understand that the pedestrian/vehicle criteria have been reached which qualifies for a crossing and that Eastleigh Borough Council has submitted a bid for funding from the county surveyor's department.

"Having noted the county council's recent agreement to install crossings outside Stoke Park Infant School in Bishopstoke and Botley Primary School, we strongly believe that Wyvern has an equal if not greater claim on the need for a crossing

"We wish to know when it will be agreed, funded and installed."

It is hoped that Hampshire county councillors will consider plans for the pedestrian crossing in March.