POSITIONING of a new pedestrian crossing in Cheltenham has been criticised by residents, who say it will be underused.
The zebra crossing was installed in Charlton Lane last month outside the new development at the former Delancey Hospital site where a 60-bed care home is being built.
It was funded by section 106 money linked to the development, costing thousands of pounds.
But residents say it will not be well-used because a planned footpath running through the new development, between Pilley Lane and Charlton Lane, which would have led onto the crossing, has been scrapped.
It means the crossing, believed to have cost £30,000, will not be used by people passing through the site when it is completed later this year.
Annette Bulman, who lives in Charlton Lane, said: "They have spent a lot of money on installing that crossing and it's a lot to spend if you haven't got the path leading onto it."
However, the arrival of the crossing comes after bosses at a Leonard Cheshire home for the disabled in Charlton Lane campaigned for years to have one installed so residents could cross over safely. Leaders at the home said they were delighted the facility was in place.
Councillor Klara Sudbury (LD, College), who lives in the area, said: "I think what residents are concerned about is that the people living in Pilley Lane won't be able to get through to the crossing.
"That is not to say it won't benefit the area however. I know people at the Leonard Cheshire home have wanted this for some time.
"The issue is then that perhaps the 106 money, which should be linked specifically to the development, could have been spent on improvements to Pilley Lane instead, where it is going to get really busy."
A spokesman for Berkeley Homes, the developer behind the project, said it had fulfilled its side of the 106 agreement as requested by Gloucestershire Highways The care home, which will provide care for patients with memory loss, is due to be finished in August.
Chris Riley, of Gloucestershire Highways, said: "Public consultation last year showed support for a pedestrian crossing on Charlton Lane, especially by Leonard Cheshire Disability. Through the Section 106 agreement the county council was able to negotiate funding for the crossing.
"We're pleased we've been able to provide the community near the development with what they asked for."