PARENTS have warned of danger to children after traffic lights at a major Winchester junction were switched off for roadworks.

Lights on a pelican crossing in Stockbridge Road, Weeke, were covered up last week despite heavy use from shoppers, elderly residents and pupils from two schools.

They were switched back on last Friday.

Contractors for Hampshire County Council – who are resurfacing a stretch of Stoney Lane, scrapping three parking spaces and adding a zebra crossing – shut them down to power temporary lights at the junction.

Locals have reported at least two near misses as children stepped into the road without a green man to guide them.

The busy commuter junction is near Weeke and Harestock primary schools, a doctors’ surgery, an elderly mobility shop and two supermarkets. The crossing is yards from a popular playground.

Barry Hudson, of nearby Malmesbury Gardens, said: “They’re doing safety improvements, then they take off the only safe route across the road for the kids.

“I’ve got two youngsters that try to get across that road. It’s horrendous. If you don’t do something now someone’s going to get killed.”

Workmen for outsourcing firm Amey agreed to switch the crossing on from 3.30pm to 9am after complaints from residents.

The work has also angered traders who have seen a gradual erosion of Stoney Lane’s on-street parking and last year said they were not warned about the changes.

Megan Brook, manager of Purrfectly Pets, said trade was down 50 per cent last week as fencing concealed shop fronts and construction vehicles took up spaces.

Gareth Hawkins, proprietor of Purrfectly Pets, said more contractors were now working, five or six compared to only two last week.

Mr Hawkins said: “They appeared to have listened to what we were saying. We need to get it done as quickly as possible to get the road re-open and the laybys open.”

David Hine, owner of fish & chip shop Seafare, welcomed the improvements but said the “whole area comes to a standstill” during rush hour.

“We’re struggling along here now,” he said. “The area’s developed but the parking from the shops hasn’t improved at all.”