A TRAFFIC island in Ambleside which is used as a "resting place" by elderly people crossing a busy road has been criticised as unsafe by a local GP.

Dr David Earnshaw, of Ambleside Health Centre on Rydal Road, said the siting of the island was "crazy", adding it was too small to act as a refuge on the busy A591 near the junction of Greenbank Road with Rydal Road.

"It is sited near a bend and a road junction, at the narrowest part of the road and people could easily get hit," he told the Lakes Neighbourhood Forum.

"I think the county council should put it elsewhere, in a safer place."

The island was put in place last year along a designated safe walking route to school after the Lakes Area Action Plan agreed it was essential for the area.

However, Dr Earnshaw also questioned the liability of any parent accompanying a "walking train" of children to school - a scheme which has been introduced in other parts of the county.

"Who would take the blame if anything happened?" he said.

"I'm all in favour of children walking to school, but what are the legal liabilities of a parent in charge of a walking train - introducing such a system could open up a whole can of worms."

Coun Anne Parker, who represents Ambleside on Cumbria County Council, told the Gazette the site of the crossing was particularly chosen because it was where people were crossing the road.

"It is well used, particularly by the elderly who get off the bus there," she said.

"A lot of children also come down off Greenbank and walk to school with their parents, and the crossing is very much welcomed by them."

Coun Parker stressed she had received no other complaints about the crossing, adding: "There's never an ideal spot, but at the end of the day we have to trust the engineers to assess all the risks."

She explained that creating safe routes to school used by "walking trains" had been requested by participants at Ambleside's Sustainability event last autumn.

She said the idea was being explored, and stressed all safety issues would be thoroughly examined and addressed.