THE campaign to get a footbridge across the A38 at Carkeel is being stepped up.

South East Cornwall MP Sheryll Murray invited Minister for Transport Theresa Villiers to the area, where a site meeting was held with Saltash mayor Martin Gee, local councillors and concerned residents.

Mrs Murray said: 'There is a massive need for a way to cross this very busy road safely, and I will actively campaign for this. I am meeting with Roads Minister Mike Penning and I intend to raise this issue with him next week.'

The Minister, seeing for herself the danger and difficulties Saltash residents have in trying to cross the lanes of traffic near Carkeel Roundabout, said: 'It is clear there is an issue on this road, and I will take this up with my colleagues in the Department of Transport and raise the concerns of residents.'

The Highways Agency held a public consultation about the plans and designs for a footbridge over two days in 2009. But after much support for the scheme, the plan was put on hold subject to funding availability. The estimated cost for the footbridge, which was hopefully to be constructed by 2011, was around £1.4m.

Mayor Martin Gee described the busy route across the A38 at Carkeel for pedestrians and cyclists as exceedingly dangerous. Cllr Peter Clements who started the campaign for a footbridge almost six years ago, said residents were taking their lives in their hands every time they tried to cross the A38.