A WOMAN said she was nearly killed on one of Bournemouth’s busiest roads.

Noreen Guy jumped into a thorny tree to avoid a car on Wimborne Road at Bear Cross.

The pensioner said: “If I had been an older person I would have been killed.

“I stepped out and jumped back and got all prickles on my body.

“There were four lads in the car shouting and screaming – I can’t repeat what they said.”

More than 200 residents have now signed a petition calling for another crossing near the Bear Cross roundabout.

Mrs Guy said: “I moved in 27 years ago and over the past few years the road has just got worse and worse.”

The nearest crossing is at Durdells Avenue, around 700 yards to the east of the roundabout which serves Christ the King Catholic Primary School.

Ward Cllr Amedeo Angiolini said: “The road is quite dangerous because of the volume of traffic. And even though it’s a 30mph limit, people go beyond that.

“I think there’s not been many accidents because people are too scared to cross. The Post Office closed down because people could get not get to it.

“The council is a bit strapped for cash but we should consider a crossing, especially as the new Tesco is being developed by Millhams Road. There really is an accident waiting to happen.”

Ian Kalra, transportation services manager, said: “We will always investigate requests of this nature.

“Due to the limited funds available schemes are prioritised taking into account factors such as the accident history and the numbers of pedestrians likely to use the crossing. The site would also have to be assessed to ensure the crossing would be clearly visible to approaching vehicles.

“We will give it due consideration.”