A BUSY Merseyside road which sees almost 10 crashes a year is set to be redesigned to tackle its accident toll.

New figures have shown Southport’s Scarisbrick New Road, home to King George V college, has witnessed 27 crashes in a three-year period.

The statistics have led planners to take action and now Sefton Council is hoping a new layout, such as dedicated right-turn lanes and cycle stop lanes, will reduce the number of injuries caused by collisions.

It also wants to put in three pedestrian refuges and one traffic island to make it safer for people to cross.

The plans are still in the early stages and will go out to public consultation before councillors make a final decision.

It is hoped the measures – thought to cost £230,000 – will be in place before the end of this financial year.

Specific consultation will take place with residents whose homes directly face the proposed pedestrian refuges.

The measures follow a 180-name petition calling on the council to take action because of the difficulties people have crossing the road.

Cllr Brenda Porter, Conservative member for Ainsdale, said: “I welcome the plans but I question why it has taken so long.

“This is a busy road. How awful people have had to ask for this when it should have been noted accidents were happening.

“We have got to give people somewhere safe to cross. The indications are that this road is a nightmare, and KGV is on that road so pupils cross there. Something needs to happen.”